Sanatan Terror Plot: Maharashtra ATS nabs two more men in connection with explosives recovery case

The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Saturday arrested two more persons in connection with the seizure of a large cache of arms and explosives. This makes the number of arrested persons to seven.

Following the interrogation of those held earlier, ATS detained Vasudev Suryawanshi (29) and Vijay alias Bhaiyya Lodhi (32) from Sakri in Jalgaon district of North Maharashtra on Friday, an ATS official said.

The ATS suspects that the duo provided vehicles to other accused to conduct reconnaissance of various places.

Some incriminating documents including maps were also seized from their possession and the duo would be produced before a court on Sunday, the ATS official said.

Read: Sanatan Terror Plot: Maharashtra ATS To Produce Fresh Evidence In Court, Seek For Longer Custody Of All Accused

Earlier on Monday, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) produced fresh evidence in connection with the arrest of Vaibhav Raut, Sharad Kalaskar and Sudhanwa Gondhalekar for possessing a large cache of arms and explosives. They were produced before the session Court where ATS sought for their longer custody. Earlier, they were sent to the custody of the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) till September 3 by Additional Sessions Judge Sameer Adkar. 

Earlier in August, Maharashtra Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) has told Republic TV that Sanatan Sanstha founder Jayant Athavale will be called for questioning if required. While speaking to Republic TV, the ATS also said that Sanatan Sanstha is "a nationwide terror organisation and members of these groups are Active in many states " 

"All the groups of this terror organisation work secretly. One group doesn't know about the activity of other groups. In the last ten years, this right-wing fringe terror group have learnt from their mistakes and now, they are more matured in bomb-making. The accused have travelled to many states including Goa," added the ATS.

Prior to this, Maharashtra police arrested Shiv Sena Corporator Shrikant Pangarkar in connection with the seizure of crude bombs and weapons from different parts of the state. Maharashtra police sources told Republic TV that Pangarkar, who had links with Sanatan, was planning to carry out an attack during the Maratha agitation.

Right-wing Hindu organization members Vaibhav Raut, Sharad Kelaskar and Sudhanva Godhalekar were arrested by Maharashtra ATS for their plan to of setting off bombs near Maratha morchas to send a strong message to the government. The arrested accused in their statement had confessed about the same.