The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted searches at three locations in Tamil Nadu, including Tiruchirappalli and Virudhunagar districts, as part of an investigation registered in Kerala. The searches were led by the NIA’s Kochi unit, with one location being a private explosives manufacturing unit near Thuraiyur in Tiruchirappalli district. Officials did not disclose details to the media during the inspection, which was closely monitored by security personnel.
The explosives factory in Tiruchirappalli was the site of a tragic industrial disaster in 2016 that claimed the lives of 19 workers. Following the incident, the factory was shut down by regulatory authorities but later allowed to resume operations after meeting safety standards. The recent NIA inspection at the factory has attracted attention due to its history and nature, with armed security personnel present during the search.
While the search was ongoing, the factory continued its operations under supervision. However, officials did not confirm if the inspection was related to any specific security threat, intelligence input, or ongoing investigation. Local residents gathered near the area during the operation, but strict security measures were in place to restrict access to the premises. No official statements regarding the purpose or outcome of the searches had been released by the NIA or the factory management as of Saturday evening.
The searches are part of a larger operation by the NIA’s Kochi unit linked to a case in Kerala, with simultaneous searches conducted at various locations across Tamil Nadu.
