NIA starts search operation in many cities in Tamil Nadu, case related to 2022 car bomb blast

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday raided 30 locations in Tamil Nadu and Telangana in the ISIS radicalization and recruitment case.

NIA officials conducted the searches at 21 locations in Coimbatore, three in Chennai, and one location in Tenkasi – all in Tamil Nadu. Besides, the agency conducted searches at five locations in Hyderabad, Telangana, agency sources told ANI.

The searches have been conducted at the premises of persons linked to the case after fresh evidence was found about an ISIS module, which may have links with the Coimbatore suspects.

Earlier this month, the NIA had arrested an accused linked to the ISIS-inspired car IED bombing in Coimbatore for his involvement in the 2022 terror attack. He was identified as Mohammad Azaruddin alias Azar. He was the 13th person to be arrested in this case. NIA took over the case on 27 October 2022 and registered the case again.

The Coimbatore car bomb blast took place on October 23 last year in front of Arulmigu Kottai Sangameshwara Thirukkovil, an ancient temple on Easwaran Kovil Street in Ukkadam, Coimbatore. The vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) was being driven by the deceased accused Jamesa Mubeen.

Mubeen and his associates were inspired by hardline ISIS ideology to plot and commit terrorist acts after taking 'bayth' or allegiance to their self-proclaimed caliph Abu al-Hassan al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi. According to the NIA investigation, the accused intended to take revenge on the infidels (those who do not believe in Islam) through this terrorist attack.

NIA has so far filed two chargesheets in this case before the NIA Court, Poonamallee, Chennai. The chargesheet was filed against six accused on April 20 this year and five on June 2 that year. The 12th accused Mohammad Idris was arrested on August 2 this year.