Malappuram, Aug 7 (IANS) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday arrested three more accused in connection with the seizure of a huge quantity of illegal explosives in Malappuram district of Kerala, taking the total number of arrests in the case to 11.

The accused arrested today have been identified as Mantagoud Biradar, Bapagoud Bheeramaya Choudri and Prakash Gauda Biradar. All three, natives of Vijayapura district in Karnataka, were arrested from Vijayapura.

The case relates to the seizure of 89,600 explosive sticks and 10,500 NONEL shock tubes by the Kerala Police on February 7, 2026. The explosives were found loaded in a lorry bearing registration number KL 10 BF 8395, parked in the compound of Farha Hollow Bricks Company, opposite the Indian Oil petrol pump on the Chemmad‑Thalappara Road in Malappuram district.

The explosive consignment comprised 89,600 sticks packed in 448 boxes and 10,500 shock tubes (NONEL) packed in 35 boxes. The persons intercepted with the lorry were unable to produce valid licences or permissions for possession or transportation of the explosives and were arrested.

The case was subsequently taken over and re‑registered by the NIA as RC‑01/2026/NIA/KOC. During the course of investigation, the agency conducted searches at 19 locations across Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

The incriminating material collected during the searches and further investigation led to the involvement of the three accused arrested today. The NIA has found that the accused, despite being licensed dealers and users of explosives, had sold the explosives seized in violation of applicable legal requirements.

With the latest arrests, the total number of accused in the case has risen to 11, with six arrests having been made earlier.

The NIA said the investigation is continuing to identify all persons involved in the illegal procurement, sale, transportation and possession of the explosives and to uncover the complete network behind the seizure.

–IANS

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