The chemical name of PETN is Pentaerythritol tetranitrate. It is one of the most powerful explosives known. When mixed with a plasticizer, it becomes a plastic explosive. Since it is a plastic explosive, metal detectors cannot detect its presence. It doesn’t have a smell, hence not even sniffer dogs can detect it.PETN doesn’t vaporize in the air, hence sniffers dogs find it difficult to detect.
Terrorists have been using PETN for a long time.It was used to destroy Mansion De France.
It is difficult to detect PETN. However, full body scanners can be useful. UP assembly speaker has ordered the installation of six full body scanners in UP Assembly. CM Yogi Adityanagth has demanded NIA investigation.
NIA (National Investigation Agency) has started its investigation into the disc.overy of high-grade PETN explosive inside the Uttar Pradesh assembly. They will be interrogating he security staff and agencies of the state police responsible for the security of the Vidhan Sabha.
Even though IB (Investigation Bureau) gave a tip about the possible terror attack in UP in the month of May still no actions were taken to spruce up security by the state security personnel. The NIA team would also question the House marshals and other security staff along with janitors and others who have access to the exclusive area.