NIA Cracks Down on ISIS-Inspired Networks in Coimbatore Blast Case

The National Investigation Agency has arrested three more individuals connected to the 2022 ISIS-inspired Coimbatore car bomb blast in Tamil Nadu. With these arrests, the total stands at 18. Investigations revealed terror financing links, with charges filed against 14 suspects involved in the attack near a Coimbatore temple.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) announced the arrest of three additional suspects on Monday in connection with the ISIS-inspired car bomb explosion in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, which occurred in October 2022. This brings the total number of arrests in the high-profile case to 18, including Aboo Hanifa, Saran Mariappan, and Pavas Rahman.

The NIA has uncovered evidence suggesting that the trio was involved in funding the terrorist act, adding a crucial dimension to the ongoing investigation. To date, four chargesheets have been submitted against 14 accused individuals at the NIA Court in Poonamallee, Chennai. The attack, targeting the historic Arulmigu Kottai Sangameshwarar Thirukovil temple, was carried out by Jamesha Mubeen — an ISIS operative who died in the attack, driven by ideologies against non-believers of Islam.

The agency disclosed that Aboo Hanifa, employed at Kovai Arabic College, was involved in radicalizing individuals including Mubeen into ISIS ideology. Prior to the attack, Mubeen pledged allegiance to ISIS's then-leader, Abu-Al-Hasan Al-Hashimi Al-Qurashi. An offshoot investigation into radicalization has resulted in charges against four other suspects by the NIA.

(With inputs from agencies.)