Coimbatore: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has intensified its probe into the October 2022 ISIS-inspired car bomb blast near the Kottai Sangameswarar temple in Coimbatore by interrogating three key suspects, Aboo Hanifa, Saran Mariappan, and Pavas Rahman, who were arrested on October 21, 2024. Taken under heavy security from Puzhal Jail to a secure location, the suspects are now undergoing questioning at the Race Course police station in Coimbatore. This heightened inquiry is part of NIA’s strategy to uncover further evidence around the attack and its financing, with questioning slated to continue until November 14.
The case, identified as RC-01/2022/NIA/CHE, revolves around a tragic incident on October 23, 2022, when a vehicle packed with improvised explosive devices (IEDs) detonated near the ancient Kottai Sangameswarar temple in Coimbatore’s Ukkadam area. The attack, allegedly orchestrated by Jamesha Mubeen, a self-proclaimed ISIS operative, aimed to target “non-believers” and was initially dismissed by local authorities as an LPG cylinder explosion until the NIA intervened. Critics have since accused the Tamil Nadu government and police officials, including then-DGP Sylendra Babu, of downplaying the gravity of the incident. In the words of one critic, “The DMK’s response has left Tamil Nadu vulnerable to a Taliban-like atmosphere.”
Uncovering the Terror Financing Network
According to NIA’s statements, the recent arrests highlight a terror financing angle to the case. Allegedly, Aboo Hanifa, a faculty member at Kovai Arabic College, played a central role in radicalizing several of the accused, including Jamesha Mubeen, with ISIS ideology. Investigations have revealed that Hanifa and his co-accused conspired to fund the terror operation, enabling Mubeen’s attack on the temple. These new findings bring the total number of arrests in the case to 18, with the NIA filing four chargesheets implicating 14 suspects in the Coimbatore Special Court.
During his interrogation, Hanifa reportedly admitted involvement in previous operations with ISIS operatives and exposed further plans by Mubeen to spread extremism across Tamil Nadu. Hanifa’s testimony links the accused to Zahran Hashim, the mastermind behind the devastating 2019 Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka that claimed over 250 lives. After Hashim’s death, Mubeen allegedly assumed leadership of ISIS activities in Tamil Nadu, shifting the group’s focus to targeting Hindu temples, assassinating Hindu leaders, and undermining India’s secular institutions. Hanifa stated that Mubeen was committed to establishing an Islamic state in India and had brought recruits to Chennai for training in explosives and terror tactics.
Training and Radicalisation in Kerala and Tamil Nadu
The NIA’s investigation suggests that Arabic colleges in Kerala and Coimbatore served as radicalization hubs, where ISIS ideology was propagated under the guise of religious education. Hanifa disclosed that Mubeen, viewing himself as an emerging leader in ISIS, was dedicated to expanding the group’s influence in South India. Training sessions reportedly included lessons on bomb-making, covert operations, and violent ideology, with the initial plan targeting Coimbatore’s Fort Easwaran Temple.
These revelations have led to mounting concerns from intelligence agencies and civil society regarding extremist activities in educational institutions. Observers have called for stricter monitoring of religious and academic institutions to prevent radical elements from gaining traction in the region.
Political and Public Reactions
The NIA’s recent discoveries have reignited discussions around perceived lapses in Tamil Nadu’s security strategy. Critics argue that the ruling DMK government has been hesitant to address religious extremism, focusing instead on downplaying incidents of violence attributed to minority groups. Leaders from opposition parties and community groups have voiced concern over what they see as selective silence, accusing the state government of creating an environment conducive to extremist ideologies.
Prominent intelligence sources and critics have also drawn attention to a larger, coordinated strategy by certain factions to destabilize India. Some point to organized protests against culturally sensitive projects, opposition to Waqf Board amendments, and the demand for restoring Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir as part of a broader agenda to incite social unrest. Allegations suggest that support from the I.N.D.I.A. coalition, including the Congress party, has emboldened certain elements, giving rise to concerns of a “grand design” against India’s unity.
Expanding the Investigation
The NIA has also launched related inquiries into the financial transactions of suspects, tracing funds believed to have supported the Coimbatore attack. On October 10, NIA officers conducted searches at the residence of Faizul Rahman, another key accused in Chennai, seizing incriminating materials. Rahman was allegedly coordinating with other suspects to promote secessionism and was reportedly in contact with hostile foreign entities to seek military support for an insurgency against India. His arrest further underscores the need for robust counter-terrorism measures across state and central agencies.
Intelligence Agencies Warn of Expanding Threat
As the NIA continues its probe, intelligence agencies warn of a brewing conspiracy aimed at destabilizing India, with Tamil Nadu perceived as a critical region for these activities. The arrest and interrogation of radicalized individuals have raised alarm bells about the spread of extremist ideologies under the guise of religious instruction and social welfare programs. The agencies stress the importance of heightened vigilance, with some pointing out that the DMK government’s perceived leniency might inadvertently enable extremist groups to operate unchecked.
