Three arrested for illegal storage of crude country bombs in Uttara Kannada

During the investigation of the charges, they allegedly revealed that the explosives were supplied by Sandeep Gowda of Shiragunji village in Ankola taluk. | Image for representational purposes | Photo credit: BrianAJackson

The Ankola police in Uttara Kannada district have arrested three persons for allegedly illegally possessing and storing country-made crude bombs, which they claimed were meant for fishing.

According to the police, on June 30, Inspector Chandrashekhar Mathapati and his team were on patrol near Hattikeri in Ankola when they received credible information that two residents of Honnalli village, Narayan Gowda and Nagaraj Gowda, were illegally storing crude country bombs.

Police along with Anti-Sabotage Control (ASC) Team, Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) and witnesses searched the premises of the accused. During interrogation, Narayan and Nagaraj reportedly confessed that they kept the crude bombs to catch fish. They further told the investigators that after one of their relatives was killed in an accidental blast in Tumakuru a few days ago, they hid the explosives in a nearby forest.

Based on their revelations, the police found three crude country bombs in the forest. The explosives were secured and safely transported for safe storage and disposal.

During the investigation of the charges, they allegedly revealed that the explosives were supplied by Sandeep Gowda of Shiragunji village in Ankola taluk.

A case was registered at the Ankola police station under Sections 4 and 5 of the Explosives Act, 1908 and Section 288 of the BNS Act, 2023. The police arrested Narayan, Nagaraj and Sandeep. Further investigation is underway.

Published – 30 Jun 2026 23:03 IST