A high-stakes police chase in Palakkad culminated in the arrest of a lorry driver and the recovery of a staggering explosives cache concealed in watermelons. The Wednesday evening raid near Palakkad Government Medical College on Yakkara Service Road netted 18,000 gelatin sticks and 4,800 detonators from over 100 hidden boxes.
Triggered by Inspector Vipin Kumar’s informant tip, the South Police team set up checkpoints. Spotting the fleeing mini lorry, they pursued and halted it forcefully. The bomb squad’s arrival ensured safe extraction of the hazardous materials, commonly employed in industrial blasting.
Senthil Kumar, the Tamil Nadu native behind the wheel, faces intense grilling after revealing the load’s journey from Thuppur in Dharapuram to Thrissur. Doubts linger over a bigger conspiracy, with interrogations aiming to expose recipients and intentions.
This bust revives memories of last year’s joint operation by Palakkad and Coimbatore forces, which confiscated even larger quantities. As investigations broaden, the incident spotlights vulnerabilities in explosives supply chains and the urgent need for tighter interstate vigilance.