New Delhi, 09 August (H.S.): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Haris TA, identified as a key conspirator in a case involving the illegal procurement and seizure of explosives in Malappuram, Kerala. His arrest from Manjeri in Malappuram on Saturday has taken the total number of arrests in the case to 10.

According to the NIA, Haris was allegedly involved in the conspiracy to illegally procure explosives. The arrest comes as the agency continues to investigate the wider conspiracy behind the illegal purchase and transportation of the explosives.

The case relates to the recovery, on February 7, 2026, of 89,600 explosive sticks and 10,500 shock tubes from a truck parked on the premises of Farha Hollow Bricks Company on the Chemmad-Thalappara Road in Malappuram. The Kerala Police had intercepted the truck and arrested three persons in connection with the seizure. The accused allegedly did not possess valid licences or authorisation for storing or transporting the explosives.

The NIA subsequently re-registered the case and took over the investigation. During the course of its probe, the agency conducted searches at 19 locations across three states. The searches led to the recovery of incriminating material and helped investigators identify additional individuals allegedly linked to the illegal procurement and movement of the explosives.

According to the NIA, Haris TA was among the principal conspirators in the case, and his alleged role in the illegal procurement of the seized explosives has emerged during the investigation. The agency is questioning him to ascertain the source of the explosives, the logistics involved in their transportation and their intended final destination.

A day before Haris' arrest, on August 7, the NIA arrested three more accused persons from Vijayapura in Karnataka. The agency had previously arrested several other suspects in connection with the case, taking the total number of arrests to 10.

The NIA's investigation is now focused not only on the recovery of the illegal explosives but also on uncovering the larger network behind their procurement and movement. Investigators are seeking to determine the purpose for which such a large quantity of explosives was procured, their source, and the individuals involved in their transportation and supply.

The agency said its investigation into the wider conspiracy and the network involved in the illegal procurement and movement of explosives is continuing.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar