Daijiworld Media Network - Palakkad

Palakkad, Jan 5: An 11-year-old boy suffered a serious leg injury after an object found on the roadside exploded in Kerala’s Palakkad district, police said on Monday.

The injured child has been identified as Sreeharshan, a native of Veettampara. The incident occurred on Sunday when he was walking along a village pathway with his mother under the jurisdiction of the Ottappalam police station.

According to police, the boy’s leg accidentally struck the object, triggering an explosion. The blast caused severe injuries, with flesh near his ankle reportedly ripped off. He was immediately rushed to a hospital in Perinthalmanna and is currently undergoing treatment at the Cooperative Hospital, where his condition is said to be stable.

Police suspect that the object could be a country-made explosive often used to scare away wild animals, particularly wild boars, as the area is frequently visited by such animals. Officials said a scientific examination would be conducted to ascertain the exact nature of the explosive.

A case has been registered under the Explosive Substances Act, and police said they are probing all possible angles related to the incident.