Mumbai: Three persons were arrested on May 13 in connection with the seizure of a huge cache of arms and ammunition from Padgah village of Bhiwandi taluka of Thane district, official sources said on May 14.

A number of AK-47 rifles, 200 hand grenades and revolvers were recovered from a well in Padgah village on May 13, the sources said adding that 12 more suspects are likely to be arrested on May 14, the sources said.

The three persons arrested on May 13 are allegedly involved in the March 13 Mulund bomb blast and are also responsible for storing arms and ammunition in the well, the sources added.

Assistant commissioner of police Ramakant Padwal led the team of crime branch police who on May 13 raided Padgah village after interrogating one of the accused held in Mulund bomb blast case.

According to police, the ammunition was allegedly stored by Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) activists and Lashkar-e-toiba militants who had planned a series of bomb blasts in and around Mumbai at public places.

With the seizure of arms and ammunition, police claimed to have averted major plans of terrorists to blow up sensitive and important public places such as railway stations, bus depots and departmental stores.

Police alleged that terrorists had made Padgah their base of operation because of surrounding hills where target practice was imparted to unemployed youths for indulging in terrorist activities.

PTI