Daijiworld Media Network – Palakkad

Palakkad, Feb 5: Police have seized a large consignment of explosives from a pick-up van near the Palakkad town area in Kerala late Wednesday night, February 4.

According to Palakkad Town South police, more than 100 boxes of gelatin sticks and over 20 boxes of detonators were recovered from the vehicle. The explosives were concealed beneath a load of watermelons in an apparent attempt to evade detection.

The vehicle was intercepted during routine inspections following specific intelligence inputs that a large quantity of explosives was being illegally transported into the state. Police said the driver initially ignored signals to stop, prompting officers to chase and halt the vehicle.

The driver was taken into custody and, during preliminary interrogation, reportedly told police that the explosives were loaded from Coimbatore and were being transported to a quarry in Thrissur district.

Police officials said the seizure process is ongoing and that a case will be registered against the driver under relevant sections of the Explosive Substances Act. Further investigation is underway to ascertain the source of the explosives and whether others were involved in the illegal transportation.