New Delhi, August 8: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested three additional suspects in connection with a significant seizure of illegal explosives in Malappuram district, Kerala. This brings the total number of arrests in the case to 11.
The newly arrested individuals have been identified as Mantgaud Biradar (A-9), Bapagaud Bhiramaya Chaudhary (A-10), and Prakash Gouda Biradar (A-11). All three are residents of Vijayapura district in Karnataka and were apprehended in their hometown.
This case stems from a police operation on February 7, 2026, when Kerala police seized 89,600 explosive sticks and 10,500 nonel shock tubes. The explosives were found loaded in a truck parked in front of the ‘Farha Holo Bricks Company’ premises on Chemad-Thalappara Road near an Indian Oil petrol station in Malappuram.
The seized explosives included 448 boxes containing 89,600 explosive sticks and 35 boxes with 10,500 shock tubes (nonel). The individuals caught with the truck could not provide any valid licenses or permits for storing or transporting the explosives, leading to their arrest.
Subsequently, the NIA took over the investigation and re-registered the case. During the inquiry, the agency conducted searches at 19 locations across Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
Evidence gathered during these searches revealed the involvement of the three newly arrested suspects. The NIA found that despite being licensed dealers and users of explosives, the suspects were illegally selling the seized explosives in violation of legal regulations.
With these latest arrests, the total number of individuals apprehended in this case has reached 11, following the earlier arrests of six suspects.
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