The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has initiated a series of searches across Tamil Nadu, including Coimbatore and Chennai, as well as Telangana, targeting approximately 30 suspected Islamic State training centers. The agency's primary objective is to dismantle these alleged ISIS training facilities operating in the southern region.
In Coimbatore, the NIA conducted raids in 21 different locations, while in Chennai, operations were underway at three separate sites. In addition, five locations in Hyderabad and one location in Tenkasi were also subjected to scrutiny. Notably, in Coimbatore, the focus of the searches revolved around the Kovai Arabic College, prompting investigations into individuals associated with the institution, including its former students.
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The scrutiny even extended to the husband of a Coimbatore Corporation DMK councillor, though NIA officials concluded their questioning at the councillor's residence within a few hours. The investigation is linked to a car bomb blast that occurred on October 23 last year in front of the Arulmigu Kottai Sangameswarar Thirukovil, situated on Eswaran Kovil street—a location with a history of communal tensions in the Textile City.
The vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (IED) was reportedly driven by the now-deceased accused, Jameesha Mubeen, and his associates, who were allegedly motivated by a strong ISIS ideology and had pledged allegiance to its self-proclaimed Caliph, Abu-Al Hassan Al-Hashmi Al-Quarashi.
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According to NIA findings, the accused had intended to carry out the attack as an act of revenge against non-believers of Islam, referred to as Kafirs. In connection with this case, the NIA has already submitted two chargesheets to the NIA Court in Poonamallee, Chennai. Six accused were charged on April 20 of the current year, followed by five additional individuals on June 2. The latest development in the case involves the arrest of the 12th accused, Mohammed Idris, on August 2.
