NIA nabs main conspirator in Kerala explosives seizure case, arrest count hits 10

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested another accused in connection with the seizure of a massive consignment of illegal explosives in Kerala's Malappuram district, taking the total number of arrests in the case to ten, officials said on Sunday.

The accused, identified as Haris TA, was arrested on Saturday from Manjeri in Malappuram. He is described as the main conspirator and was allegedly involved in the illegal procurement of the explosives seized in the case, the NIA said in a statement.

The case pertains to the seizure of 89,600 explosive sticks and 10,500 NONEL shock tubes from a lorry parked at the Farha Hollow Bricks Company on the Chemmad-Thalappara Road in Malappuram on February 7, 2026. Kerala Police had intercepted the lorry and arrested three persons found in connection with the consignment.

None of the accused possessed valid licences or permissions to transport or possess the explosives, the agency said.

The NIA later re-registered the case and took over the probe. During its investigation, the agency conducted searches at 19 locations across three states, gathering incriminating material and identifying additional persons allegedly involved in the conspiracy.

Haris's arrest comes a day after the NIA arrested three other accused from Vijayapura in Karnataka on August 7.

With ten arrests made so far, the investigation into the larger conspiracy behind the illegal procurement and movement of the explosives is continuing, the agency said.