PETN EXPLOSIVES

PETN EXPLOSIVES

Subject : Science & tech

Context : A day after a low intensity explosion took place near the Israeli embassy in New Delhi, Israel’s ambassador Ron Malka said Indian and Israeli agencies were working together “to find out what happened, who is standing behind this”.

Concept :

• Sources in the security establishment said preliminary forensic examination of the site and the bomb have revealed that the explosive used was PETN.
• A military grade explosive, PETN is not easily available and has been used in the past by groups such as Al Qaeda for making bombs.

PETN Explosives

• PETN or Pentaerythritol tetranitrate is one of the most dangerous plastic explosive. The substance is available in black market, and belongs to the same family as nitroglycerin.
• It is preferred by militant groups because it cannot be easily detected owing to its colourless crystals.
• Majority of explosive detectors use metal detectors, but PETN can be kept hidden in a sealed container or an electrical equipment and thus can easily surpass security checks.
• PETN does not go on its own. The explosive needs a secondary detonating mechanism to produce heat or a shockwave, which can detonate the explosive.