NEW DELHI, Aug 9: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested another accused in connection with the seizure of a large consignment of illegally transported explosives in Kerala’s Malappuram district, taking the total number of arrests in the case to 10.
The latest accused, identified as Haris TA, was arrested from Manjeri in Malappuram on Saturday. According to the NIA, Haris was the main conspirator and played a key role in the illegal procurement of the explosives seized in the case.
The investigation relates to the seizure of 89,600 explosive sticks and 10,500 shock tubes (NONEL) from a lorry parked at the premises of Farha Hollow Bricks Company on the Chemmad-Thalappara Road in Malappuram on February 7, 2026.
The vehicle was intercepted by the Kerala Police, which subsequently arrested three persons linked to the consignment. The agency said the explosives were being possessed and transported without the required licences or official permissions.
The NIA later re-registered the case and took over the investigation. As part of the probe, the agency carried out searches at 19 locations across three states and recovered material that allegedly provided leads about the wider conspiracy and other individuals involved.
Haris’ arrest comes a day after the agency detained three more accused from Vijayapura in Karnataka on August 7.
With the latest arrest, 10 people have now been taken into custody in the case. The NIA said its investigation is continuing to establish the full extent of the conspiracy, including the illegal procurement and movement of the explosives.