Malappuram blast: NIA to assist Kerala police

KOCHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) will coordinate with the state police for investigation into the low intensity blast reported at court premises in Malappuram on Tuesday. NIA officials will visit the blast site and examine material evidences collected from the spot as part of the preliminary investigation.

“NIA team probing Mysuru blast will assist and coordinate with Kerala police investigating the one in Malappuram”, said NIA officials.

According to NIA, the blast at court premises in Malappuram on Tuesday is the fourth low intensity explosion reported in South India this year. The blast at Malappuram was preceded by similar ones reported at Chittoor in Andhra Pradesh on April 7, Kollam collectorate on June 15 and Mysuru court on August 1.

According to NIA, the pressure cooker bomb used in Malappuram blast is similar to the one used for the explosion in Mysuru. According to officials, a pressure cooker filled with explosive substance, detonator and timer were used for the blast in Mysuru. The cooker was placed inside a toilet in the court premises.

In 2009, a low intensity blast had taken place at Ernakulam collectorate at Kakkanad.