Police in Kerala’s Palakkad district seized a pick-up van carrying more than 100 boxes of explosives, concealed beneath a load of watermelons, during a late-night interception on Wednesday, 4 February 2026, amid heightened security checks ahead of the Assembly elections in the state.
According to an officer from the Palakkad Town South Police Station, the vehicle was found transporting over 100 boxes of gelatin sticks along with more than 20 boxes of detonators. The explosive materials had been hidden under a consignment of watermelons in an apparent attempt to evade detection.
The seizure occurred as state authorities intensified security surveillance across Kerala in the run-up to the upcoming Assembly polls. Police acted on prior information indicating that a large quantity of explosives was being illegally transported into the state. During routine inspection, officers signalled the vehicle to stop, but the driver allegedly failed to comply. Police then pursued the van, intercepted it, and took the driver into custody.
During preliminary interrogation, the driver informed investigators that the explosives had been loaded in Coimbatore and were being transported to a quarry site in Thrissur. Police stated that initial assessments suggested the consignment was intended for quarry operations.
Addressing the broader issue of explosive circulation in the region, police indicated that the sale of such materials was restricted to a limited number of licensed agencies. They noted that the trade often functioned as a monopoly in several areas, resulting in inflated prices, which in turn encouraged unlicensed operators to sell explosives clandestinely at cheaper rates.
Police said a case under the Explosive Substances Act would be registered against the driver following completion of seizure formalities. An official case has been registered by Palakkad Police in connection with the incident.
Source: India Today
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