11-year-old boy seriously injured after explosive object goes off

OTTAPALAM: An 11-year-old boy suffered serious injuries after an explosive object went off while he was walking along the roadside. The injured child has been identified as Sreeharsh, son of Jayakrishnan and Jisha, from Veetampara. The incident occurred around 6.30 pm on Sunday, when the boy was walking along the road with his mother, Jisha.

Police said a plastic object that looked like a ball exploded after it was kicked accidentally. The boy suffered serious injuries to his right leg. Police suspect that the object may have been a country-made explosive, commonly known as a “pannippadakkam.”

Sreeharsh lives near St. Joseph’s School. The explosion happened while he was on his way to his ancestral house near Vadanamkurissi LP School, a short distance from his home. He was first taken to the Ottapalam Taluk Hospital and later shifted to a private hospital in Perinthalmanna for further treatment.

A police team led by Ottapalam Inspector A. Ajeesh inspected the spot. A case has been registered under the Explosives Act. Based on the nature of the explosion, police believe it could be a pannippadakkam. A detailed investigation will be conducted to confirm this. The Bomb Detection Squad and a scientific team will inspect the area on Monday.