NIA arrests key accused in Kerala illegal explosives seizure case

The NIA arrested Haris TA, the alleged main conspirator, in connection with the seizure of illegal explosives in Kerala’s Malappuram. His arrest takes the total number of accused held to ten. The probe is continuing into the wider conspiracy and procurement network

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested another accused in connection with the seizure of a huge consignment of illegal explosives in Kerala’s Malappuram, 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 district, they said.

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The accused, who is the main conspirator, was involved in the illegal procurement of the explosives seized in the case, a statement issued by the NIA said.

The case relates to the seizure of 89,600 explosive sticks and 10,500 shock tubes (NONEL) from a lorry parked in the compound of Farha Hollow Bricks Company on the Chemmad-Thalappara Road in Malappuram on February 7, 2026.

The lorry was intercepted by the Kerala Police, which arrested three persons found in connection with the consignment, the probe agency said.

The accused did not possess valid licences or permissions for transporting or possessing the explosives, it said.

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, leading to the collection of incriminating material and the identification of additional persons involved in the conspiracy.

The arrest of Haris comes a day after the NIA arrested three more accused from Vijayapura in Karnataka on August 7.

A total of ten persons have so far been arrested in the case. Investigation into the larger conspiracy and the illegal procurement and movement of the explosives is continuing, the NIA said.