Following preliminary investigation into the discovery of the body of a man from Kerala at Sirumalai in Dindigul district, it has been found that the man, a farmer, died while testing explosive materials bought by him to sink a well in the land he intended to lease.

On Thursday night, the body of the man identified as John Sabu, 60, of Kottayam in Kerala was found in a private estate near the 15th bend on Sirumalai ghat road. According to police sources, wires, batteries and detonators, a mobile phone and a mobile phone charger were found near the deceased. The police searched the area following complaints of foul smell.

When the police team was conducting the search, the batteries exploded, injuring two police personnel and a forest official. They are undergoing treatment at a hospital.

It is said that John Sabu, who hailed from Idukki, settled in Kottayam after marriage and took up farming. About 10 years ago, he took up a pepper plantation in Sirumalai on lease. After the lease period, he returned to Kottayam.

A few weeks ago, he expressed interest in taking up cultivation in Sirumalai again. John Sabu planned to take a mango orchard in Sirumalai on lease and came to Sirumalai for this purpose.

Under these circumstances, he had bought explosive materials to sink a well in the farm he was about to take on lease. He bought explosives, batteries and wires. He took the materials for testing in a private estate in Sirumalai near the 15th bend. However, they exploded and John Sabu died on the spot.

Teams from the National Investigation Agency, Q-Branch, Anti-Terrorism Squad and police and forest officials searched the area and carried out an investigation.