Seizure of explosives: NIA arrests key conspirator from Malappuram

MALAPPURAM: One more person has been arrested in connection with the seizure of a large quantity of illegal explosives in Malappuram, an incident that shocked the state. The arrested is Haris T A of Manjeri in Malappuram. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said that he was the main conspirator in the case involving the smuggling of explosives. He was arrested from Manjeri on Saturday. With this, the total number of arrests in the case has risen to 10.

The NIA found that Haris played a key role in illegally procuring and distributing explosives. A large cache of explosives was seized from a lorry parked on the premises of Farha Hollow Bricks Company on the Chemmad–Thalappara Road on February 7. The police then recovered 89,600 detonator sticks and 10,500 non-electric shock tubes. The lorry used to transport the explosives was also seized by the investigating team. Three people who were in the lorry were initially arrested by the police. Taking into account the seriousness of the incident, the case was later taken over by the NIA.

As part of the investigation, the NIA conducted extensive raids. Three suspects were arrested from Karnataka the other day. Haris was arrested today following those arrests. Investigators found that the accused had allegedly used documents in the names of fake companies to illegally transport the explosives from Karnataka to Kerala. The investigation is continuing to find out why the explosives were brought to Kerala and the financial source of it.