Govt declares ammonium nitrate as explosive

Concerned over its frequent use by terror groups in making bombs, the government has declared fertilisers having more than 45% of ammonium nitrate as an explosive substance.

In a gazette notification, the government has declared ammonium nitrate as explosive under the Explosive Act 1884. 

"... the central government hereby declares that Ammonium Nitrate or any combination containing more than 45% of Ammonium Nitrate by weight including emulsions, suspensions, melts or gels shall be deemed to be an explosive," a notification of Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion
(DIPP) said.

The notification said that fertiliser from which either ammonium nitrate or any of its combination cannot be extracted would not be classified as explosive.

After the recent Mumbai blasts, the government has decided to control free movement of ammonium nitrate in order to restrict its use as explosives by terrorists.

Traces of ammonium nitrate were found from the blast sites at Zaveri Bazar, Opera House and Dadar in the country's financial capital.