New Delhi | The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday conducted searches across three southern states in connection with the seizure of a large quantity of explosives in Kerala's Malappuram district.
The searches were conducted at 19 premises of the accused, as well as at the houses of dealers and manufacturers of explosives, in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Several digital devices, documents and other materials, including gelatin sticks, were seized during the extensive searches, the NIA said in a statement.
Six people have been arrested so far in the case, which has revealed grave national security implications, given the huge quantity of illegally procured explosives that Kerala Police seized in February, it said.
The local police had registered a case after a lorry parked in the compound of Farha Hollow Bricks at Chemmad-Thalappara road in Malappuram district was found packed with a large quantity of explosives, the agency said.
According to the NIA, the explosives seized from the lorry included 89,600 gelatin sticks in 448 boxes and 10,500 non-electric detonators in 35 boxes.
The entire consignment had been procured without a valid licence and was intended for illegal and unlawful activities, the agency said.
The NIA, which took over the case in April, said it is continuing its probe into the case to unravel the supply chain behind the unlawful pilferage of explosive substances and their intended use.
