A cache of bullets meant for self-loading rifles used by the Indian Army were recovered from the Bharathapuzha at Kuttippuram on Thursday.
The recovery of the ammunition made a week after five landmines were found abandoned at Kuttippuram has alarmed the police and other security agencies.
The special police team investigating the landmines case stumbled upon the cache of ammunition containing 445 bullets, parts of sand channels and magazines during a search in the afternoon. The police said the rounds were that of 7.62 SLR guns used by the Indian Army. A senior police officer at the site said that a detailed investigation was needed before confirming how the bullets reached the Bharathapuzha. Different security agencies, including the Army intelligence wing, have begun investigation into the recovery of the mines and bullets. Two local men at Kuttippuram had reportedly noticed the cache of ammunition lying abandoned in water under the bridge while fishing in the river a few days ago. Although they had kept mum about it at first, they told the police about their find after the police recovered the mines last week.
Serious issue from Sabarimala pilgrims' angle
Mini Pampa, a resting place for Sabarimala pilgrims from North Malabar and Karnataka, is adjacent to Kuttippuram bridge. The police said they were leaving no threads uninvestigated as it required serious treatment.
