Malappuram: The special investigation team (SIT) of Kerala police handed over to CBI the probe into the recovery of Claymore mines and self-loading rifle (SLR) bullets from under Kuttippuram bridge across Bharathappuzha last year.  

On January 4, 2018, police recovered five M18A1 Claymore directional anti-personnel mines from the river, leading to another haul on January 11 by the special squad of police recovering around 500 SLR bullets and pulse generator connectors from the same spot.

Examining the mines, the National Security Guards (NSG) confirmed them as ‘live’, issued by the Indian Army.

The probe team made efforts to collect evidence from ordinance factories and army units; however, SIT failed to make head way into the case.  At this point, police decided to hand over the case to CBI, given the fact that only a national investigation agency can conduct effective probe, according to officials.