Over 100 boxes of explosives seized from pick-up van in Kerala’s Palakkad

Palakkad: Police in Kerala’s Palakkad district have seized a pick-up van carrying more than 100 boxes of explosives near the town area.

An officer from the Palakkad Town South police station said the vehicle was found transporting over 100 boxes of gelatin sticks along with more than 20 boxes of detonators. The explosives had been concealed beneath a load of watermelons.

The seizure took place late on Wednesday. The driver of the van was taken into custody.

During initial questioning, the driver told police that the explosives were loaded in Coimbatore and were meant to be delivered to a quarry in Thrissur.

Police said they had received specific information about a large quantity of explosives being brought into the state illegally. Acting on the tip-off, officers began checking vehicles in the area and intercepted the van.

The driver initially ignored the signal to stop, prompting police to chase and stop the vehicle, the officer added.

(with inputs from agencies)