Delhi regulates sale of ammonium nitrate

The increasing use of ammonium nitrate by terrorists to make explosives has forced Delhi Police to regulate its sale in the national capital region. The police will soon launch a drive to ensure mandatory registration of dealers who procure or produce the chemical.

Dealers who fail to register before April 30 may face jail up to life. “The month-long drive will commence on April 1. All those trading in the chemical must get themselves registered with Delhi Police’s licensing division by April 30. Prosecution of unregistered dealers will begin as soon as the drive ends,” a senior officer said.

The police will also make it mandatory for dealers to keep a detailed record of purchasers, which will also include the amount of chemical sold. Dealers will also have to record the quantity of ammonium nitrate purchased or produced.

Ammonium nitrate is not a high-quality explosive, but it can be a key component in making deadly bombs.

Security agencies have, after the series of terror attacks all over the country in the last couple of years, found that the chemical has been used to make low-cost high-impact bombs with intelligent use of shrapnel.

It was used in the attack on Uttar Pradesh courts in November 2007 and subsequent bombings in Jaipur, Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Delhi.