NIA launches explosives probe: Simultaneous raids hit four North Kerala districts

MALAPPURAM: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has significantly expanded its counter-explosives operation, launching coordinated raids across Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kasaragod, and Kannur districts. The massive sweep is part of an ongoing probe into a major illicit explosives syndicate operating across northern Kerala.

The current momentum of the investigation stems from a crucial breakthrough on February 7, when law enforcement intercepted a commercial transport truck in Chemmad, Tirurangadi. Officers discovered a massive cache of commercial-grade explosives hidden beneath layers of onion sacks. While the operators claimed the cargo was intended for routine quarrying work, the sophisticated concealment method triggered a deeper national counter-terrorism and safety probe.

• Malappuram: Investigators focused heavily on two key locations: a hollow bricks warehouse in Tirurangadi linked to the delivery destination of the intercepted truck, and a private residence in Wandoor.
• Kasaragod: National agents converged on Kadumeni, within the Chittarikkal police station limits. The targets included the residence and a previously operational granite quarry belonging to an individual named Saji, who is suspected of maintaining ties to the Malappuram trafficking network.
• Kozhikode: In Eranjimavu, near Mukkam, local entrepreneur Harris was targeted. The NIA searched his residence alongside his business, Excellent Bricks. This raid links back to a separate seizure two months ago in Kondotty, where a similar cache of explosives was recovered.
• Kannur: In a fresh development indicating the growing footprint of the case, an NIA team launched a pre-dawn raid at around 5:00 AM at the residence of Anil Kumar in Chunda, Cherupuzha. Investigators spent two hours combing the property for documents and logistics trails before wrapping up at 7:00 AM.

The coordinated nature of the raids across four separate districts suggests that federal investigators are attempting to map out a highly organised distribution network, rather than treating the explosive seizures as isolated local incidents.