What kind of explosives are most frequently stolen in India?

Detonators consistently represent the largest number of stolen explosive devices, with thousands reported missing over various periods.

What does the RTI data reveal about past explosives thefts in India?

Historical data from 2004-2006 and 2010-2011 reveals a staggering scale of explosives theft, including hundreds of thousands of detonators and significant quantities of other explosives.

Home / Crime and Justice / Massive Detonator Thefts Plague India

Massive Detonator Thefts Plague India

Q: When was the ban on electric detonators announced in India?

The government announced a ban on electric detonators on October 3, 2023, citing security concerns and public safety.

30 Mar

•

Summary

Thousands of detonators are consistently stolen from magazines.
A major theft in Chhattisgarh preceded an electric detonator ban.
Decades of data reveal staggering amounts of explosives missing.

Data obtained via an RTI application reveals a persistent and alarming trend of explosives theft from magazines across India, with Naxalism-affected regions being particularly vulnerable. Detonators, crucial for blasting, represent the most frequently stolen explosive devices, with thousands reported missing over various periods.

A significant incident on August 6, 2023, involved the theft of 1,829 detonators and 110 kgs of explosives from Janjgir Champa in Chhattisgarh. This event occurred just two months before the government banned electric detonators on October 3, 2023, citing security concerns and public safety.