The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrests an alleged mastermind connected to a major illegal explosives case in Kerala, according to reports. The arrest takes place in connection with a seizure made earlier in the state.
The case stems from the recovery of 89,600 gelatin sticks and 10,500 non-electric detonators from a hollow bricks factory compound at Chemmad, in the Manjeri area, on February 7, 2026. Authorities attribute the alleged plot to conspirators operating around the seizure site, with the arrested person described as a key figure by multiple outlets.
While the coverage is broadly aligned on the nature of the contraband, timing, and the seizure location, outlets differ slightly in how they describe the person—one report refers to the “main conspirator,” while another calls him the “alleged mastermind.” Both accounts frame the action as part of the NIA’s investigation into procurement and handling of the explosives materials in Kerala.
