KCG police present the seven arrested accused in the parcel bomb case during a press briefing; faces covered as per procedure.
• Parcel bomb conspiracy busted in KCG; 2 kg IED found in speaker parcel, 7 arrested
By : Akshay Lehre
RAJNANDGAON : In a sensational breakthrough, the Khairagarh–Chhuikhadan–Gandai (KCG) Police have foiled a deadly parcel bomb conspiracy by recovering a 2-kg Improvised Explosive Device (IED) cleverly hidden inside a speaker set. The arrest of seven accused has also exposed a wider illegal explosives supply network linked to a murder plot.
The case unfolded in Gandai when a suspicious gift-wrapped parcel, bearing a forged India Post logo and fake delivery address, arrived at a local shop. It was addressed to Afsar Khan, a resident of Manpur, Narmada under Gandai police station. Sensing irregularities, the recipient immediately alerted the police. Bomb disposal personnel arrived and secured the parcel, which was found to contain a brand-new speaker with a concealed IED.
Technical inspection confirmed that the IED was wired to activate as soon as the speaker was connected to electricity. Sixty gelatin sticks and two detonators were also seized during subsequent raids, indicating a well-organised chain of illegal procurement and transportation of explosives.
Investigations revealed that Vinay Verma, a 20-year-old from Khairagarh, built the IED using online tutorials. The murder target was Afsar Khan, and the explosives were illicitly siphoned from a stone quarry in Durg district. Vinay’s co-conspirators include financiers, delivery agents, forgers, and suppliers who played roles ranging from funding to label fabrication.
Police sources confirmed that Parmeshwar Verma provided Rs 6,000 in cash for acquiring gelatin; Gopal Verma assisted in the delivery; Khilesh Verma designed the fake India Post label; and Ghasiram Verma arranged transportation of gelatin from suppliers Gopal Sattanami and Dilip Dhimar. Both suppliers were apprehended following raids, leading to the seizure of further explosive materials.
The parcel was designed to detonate once the speaker was plugged in, with the detonator connected to its internal wiring. The plastic and metal casing of the speaker would have turned into lethal shrapnel upon detonation. Fortunately, early detection and coordinated police action averted a potentially catastrophic incident.
A case under FIR No. 277/2025 has been registered at Gandai Police Station. Charges under IPC sections, the Explosives Act, and the Arms Act have been pressed. Authorities have indicated that more arrests may follow as the probe into the illicit explosives network deepens.
