Days after Coimbatore police started to conduct a door-to-door survey on the residents in the city after the terror links in the Coimbatore car blast, NIA raids are underway Thursday at least 45 places across Tamil Nadu. The major NIA crackdown takes place at 21 locations in Coimbatore and five places in Chennai.
It is an extended search in connection with the Coimbatore car blast case, which happened last month. Six people have already been arrested. Based on the inputs from them, the NIA search is taking place. They suspect a bigger terror model as per the NIA sources.
On October 23, a cylinder-laden car exploded in Coimbatore. The driver of the car Jamesha Mubin died on the spot. It was later revealed that Mubin was already investigated by the NIA for his alleged connection with ISIS.
"According to preliminary investigations, the accused, Jamesha Mubeen, after pledging allegiance to IS, was planning to carry out a suicidal attack and cause extensive damage to symbols and monuments of a particular religious faith with the intention to strike terror among a particular section of community," the NIA said, as quoted by IANS.
The case was initially registered on November 23 with PS Ukkadam and later, the probe was handed over to the NIA on November 27.
Digital devices and incriminating documents were seized from the houses of the suspects during the searches which commenced this morning.
So far, six persons have been arrested in the case. The accused had conspired with the deceased Jamesha Mubeen to procure chemicals and other ingredients for fabrication of Improvised Explosive Devices, including an Vehicle borne IED, from online shopping platforms to commit sensational terrorist acts. Further investigation in the matter is on.
(With IANS inputs)