3 weeks ago
Kerala: NIA arrests three more in Malappuram explosives case
Police in Kerala found a big truck full of dangerous explosives in February.
There were almost 90,000 sticks of explosives and more than 10,000 special shock tubes.
The people with the truck could not show valid licences or permissions.
A special investigation team called the NIA took over the case.
On Friday, they arrested three more people from Vijayapura in Karnataka.
These people had licences to deal in explosives, but they sold the explosives the wrong way.
Now eleven people have been arrested in the case.
The NIA searched 19 places across three states.
The investigation is still going on to find everyone involved.
The NIA on Friday arrested three more accused in the Malappuram explosives case, taking total arrests to 11.
The new arrestees — Mantagoud Biradar, Bapagoud Bheeramaya Choudri and Prakash Gauda Biradar — are natives of Vijayapura district, Karnataka, and were arrested from Vijayapura.
The case relates to the February 7, 2026 seizure of 89,600 explosive sticks and 10,500 NONEL shock tubes from a lorry in Malappuram, Kerala.
The accused, despite being licensed dealers and users of explosives, allegedly sold the seized explosives in violation of legal requirements.
The NIA conducted searches at 19 locations across Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and said the investigation is continuing to uncover the complete network.
- Who
- The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Mantagoud Biradar, Bapagoud Bheeramaya Choudri and Prakash Gauda Biradar, natives of Vijayapura district in Karnataka.
- What
- Arrest of three more accused in the Malappuram explosives case, taking total arrests to 11, over the illegal possession and sale of 89,600 explosive sticks and 10,500 NONEL shock tubes.
- Where
- The arrests were made in Vijayapura, Karnataka; the explosives were seized in Malappuram district, Kerala; NIA searches covered Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
- When
- The latest arrests were made on Friday; the explosives were seized by Kerala Police on February 7, 2026.
- Why
- The accused, despite being licensed dealers and users of explosives, allegedly sold the explosives in violation of applicable legal requirements.
Key facts
- Case number
- RC-01/2026/NIA/KOC
- Explosive sticks seized
- 89,600 sticks packed in 448 boxes
- NONEL shock tubes seized
- 10,500 tubes packed in 35 boxes
- Total arrests
- 11
- Seizure date
- February 7, 2026
- Seizure location
- Farha Hollow Bricks Company compound, opposite Indian Oil petrol pump, Chemmad-Thalappara Road, Malappuram, Kerala
- Lorry registration number
- KL 10 BF 8395
- Searches conducted
- 19 locations across Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
Sources
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