ISLAMABAD, April 13: Armed men took away a good quantity of materials used to trigger explosive devices from the store of a cement factory here on Tuesday night.

The police said eight armed persons raided the magazine - special store to keep explosives and related items - of the cement factory near Margalla Hills in Sangjani area and overpowered the security guards. They took away three cartons of webcodes, each weighing 36 kg, and a big carton of detonators and fuses.

The police later searched the area with the help of sniffer dogs and recovered one of the cartons. They also arrested four of the accused - an Afghan national, one from Charsadda and two from Swat.

During interrogation, it was revealed that the theft was supervised by a factory employee who had been sacked over a moth back.

On the complaint of the factory’s security manager, the Tarnol police have registered a case and are investigating. The police said the area was still under their watch and efforts were underway to arrest the remaining members of the group and recover the material.

The police said it was too early to ascertain whether the materials were stolen with an intention to use them in terrorism.