Preliminary investigations have indicated that the RDX was supposed to be used by a Punjab based terrorist outfit to target several VIPs living in the Capital.

Delhi Police Commissioner V.N. Singh said: ``We are yet to find the names of the VIPs. But it is clear that Delhi is very high on the list of targets for terrorists.''

The RDX haul has been dubbed as the largest ever in Delhi. The last time that RDX was used in the Capital was in the bomb blast at Lajpat Nagar Market in August 1996.

The recovery of the four ABCD timers, senior officials said, is equally significant because this is the first time that such equipment has been found in the Capital.

The driver of the truck, which was coming from Batala in Punjab, Raj Kumar, and his companion, Gurcharan, have been arrested. The RDX, timers, a dismantled AK-47 assault rifle, two Chinese-made pistols, 230 cartridges, eight hand grenades and 10 detonators were concealed in the space between the rim and the tyre of the spare wheel.

It has also been found that the explosives and the other equipment were being smuggled into Delhi at the behest of three militants from the Babbar Khalsa group -- terrorist outfit from Punjab -- who are currently lodged in Tihar Jail.

The police commissioner, however, refused to comment on the possibility of some consignments of RDX having reached Delhi in the recent past. ``As we are yet to question the accused in detail, it would not proper to comment at this stage,'' he said.pHe also ruled out the involvement of this group in the bomb blast at ITO on January 9 and the one in Kailash Colony on June 27.

DCP (Crime) Karnal Singh explained that an ABCD timer consists of four separate wires. The various combinations, which are followed while joining the wires, sets the time period for the explosion to take place anytime up to 194 days.

A user manual written in English was also attached along with each timer. The police, however, are yet to trace the source of these devices.

Karnal Singh said that the RDX haul is reason for anxiety because two kg of the explosive if placed at a vulnerable point in any multi-storey building, can bring down the structure.

The seizure reportedly resulted during investigations into the possibility of a prominent Delhi businessmen being kidnapped, the Delhi police were tipped off by their counterparts in Punjab. As the Crime Branch went ahead with the probe, they found that three Babbar Khalsa terrorists lodged at Tihar Jail -- Gurusevak Singh Babla, Mokham Singh and Satvinder Singh -- were probably planning the kidnapping, but, more importantly, were key members in a conspiracy to smuggle RDX into Delhi.

Gurusevak and Mokham have been hardcore members of the Babbar Khalsa for some time, while Satvinder who is an undertrial in the Tis Hazari shootout case joined hands with them recently in the jail. Though the identity of the recipient in Delhi is yet to be ascertained, sources said that Mokham was hoping that he would be released on bail soon and would plan the explosions. The Delhi police have, nevertheless, identified Amarjeet, a resident of Batala, as the person who had sent the consignment. The Punjab police have been informed in this regard.

The truck, which is owned by a Delhi based businessman, was intercepted at Transport Nagar in Punjabi Bagh around 3 p.m. yesterday following a tip-off that such a vehicle had gone to Batala from Delhi and would be returning with the explosives. No other goods had been loaded in the vehicle. The Crime Branch have also traced the truck owner in Delhi, but have ruled out his involvement in the conspiracy for the time being as it has been found that ``he had given the truck on hire''.

Raj Kumar and Gurcharan have been booked under several sections of the Explosives Act, Arms Act, as well their involvement in the conspiracy. They were produced in a city court today and remanded to police custody for 10 days.