Gelatin sticks, detonators and gun; large stockpile of explosives seized in Kerala; found in search at residential area

ERATTUPETTA: A huge cache of explosives, including gelatin sticks and electric detonators, was seized from a shophouse rented on the Nadakkal-Kuzhivelil road in Erattupetta under the pretext of hill produce trading. 2604 gelatin sticks, 19000 detonators, 3350 meters of fuse wires and an air gun were seized. The shophouse was rented by Nadakkal native Shibili and his accomplice Teekoy native Muhammed Fasil, who were caught with explosives from Kattappana Vandanmedu the other day. The search was conducted based on their questioning.

Police said that it was Fasil who gave the explosives to Shibili. It is suspected that this was to be distributed to illegal quarries in the district. The locals are shocked to find the cache of explosives in the residential area. A family lives on rent on the upper floor of the same building. The due had rented the room eight months ago. They also rented the room next door two months ago. Neighbours said that cocoa and Areca nuts were used to be dried in the building and hence no one suspected anything. The inspection was led by SIs V.L. Binu, Tojan M. Jose, Antony Mathew and P.C. Girish.