Kerala: Materials to make explosive found in Kollam district

On Monday, during a routine field visit, beat officers spotted two gelatin sticks, detonators, batteries and electric wires in the bushes. A police team with the bomb and dog squads reached the spot later to carry out a thorough search.

The Kerala Police has launched a detailed probe after materials used to make explosives, such as detonators and batteries, were found on the premises of a cashew plantation in the state's Pathanapuram region of Kollam district. On Monday, during a routine field visit, beat officers spotted two gelatin sticks, detonators, batteries and electric wires in the bushes. A police team led by Punalur Deputy SP, Anilkumar, reached the spot and carried out a thorough search at the location. The bomb squad and dog squad were brought for further investigation. According to the Punalur Deputy SP, it was too early to divulge into the details of this incident. "Yesterday we recovered these gelatin sticks, detonators, electric wires based on information from forest officials. These were found at a Cashew plantation that falls within the Padam forest range. We have registered a case and a probe is underway. At the moment we cannot point our fingers at anyone as this is the preliminary stage. It looks like the items were abandoned here rather than being hidden," he said.