Malappuram, 09 August (H.S.):

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested an alleged key conspirator in connection with the seizure of a huge cache of illegally procured explosives in Malappuram district, taking the total number of arrests in the case to 10.

The accused, identified as Haris T.A., was arrested from Manjeri on Saturday. The NIA considers him one of the main conspirators in the case and suspects that he played a significant role in the illegal procurement and distribution of explosives.

According to investigators, Haris was allegedly involved in arranging the explosives through unauthorised channels and facilitating their supply. His arrest comes as part of the NIA's widening investigation into the network behind the movement and storage of the explosive materials.

The agency had earlier conducted searches at 19 locations across three States as part of its investigation. Three persons linked to the case were also arrested from Karnataka recently. With the latest arrest, the number of persons taken into custody in connection with the case has risen to 10.

The case originated from a major seizure made by the local police on February 7. A large quantity of explosive materials was found concealed in a lorry parked on the premises of a hollow-bricks manufacturing unit along the Chemmad-Thalappara road in Malappuram district.

During the operation, police recovered around 89,600 detonator sticks and 10,500 non-electric shock tubes, besides other materials. The unusually large quantity of explosives prompted investigators to examine their source, intended destination and the network involved in their procurement and transportation.

The investigation was initially handled by the local police before being transferred to the NIA considering the nature and scale of the seizure.

The NIA is now probing the wider links of the accused and attempting to establish the entire supply chain through which the explosives were allegedly procured, transported and distributed.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman