The National Investigation Agency (NIA) raided seven locations across Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu today, over a suspected link between an Islamic State (IS) module in Coimbatore and serial blasts in Sri Lanka on Easter eve. This attack had killed over 300 people in the island country.
Tamil Nadu: NIA raids are currently underway at 7 locations in Coimbatore.
Details by @Ahmedshabbir20 in conversation with @Swatij14. pic.twitter.com/wr2Saa3Gjg
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) June 12, 2019
As per reports, the raids began at 6 am in the morning and are being supervised by 7 DSPs. A team of NIA officials have reportedly reached Coimbatore in the morning.
The residences of some suspected individuals named Sadham, Akbar, Akram, Azharuddin, Abubakkar, Idiyathullah and Sakhimshah are being raided by NIA.
It is reported that a fresh case of ISIS supported module was registered in Coimbatore. The suspected individuals were allegedly found interacting and monitoring the developments regarding NTJ, the organisation behind the Easter Bombings. They were also allegedly connected with main accused Zahran Hashim over social media.
NIA is looking into all electronic equipment, mobile phones and computers of these individuals.
According to reports, last month, an Inspector General had led a two-member NIA team to Colombo to coordinate with the Sri Lankan authorities to investigate the serial attacks.
“We have our own FIR against ISIS modules. The visit is not to assist Sri Lanka with their probe but to see if an exchange of information and evidence gathered by us and they can be mutually beneficial,” NIA official had revealed.
Earlier this year, the NIA had chargesheeted Mohamed Ashiq A, Ismail S, Samsudeen, Mohammed Salahuddin S, Jafar Shadik Ali and Shahul Hameed in a case related to an ISIS module in Coimbatore. A major attack on South Indian leaders and a possible attack on the Indian consulate in Colombo was suspected from the evidence gathered and the interrogations of the arrested individuals. NTJ’s videos were also found. India had shared this information with their Sri Lankan counterparts with a warning.
Sri Lankan authorities, too, had admitted that despite India’s multiple warnings about a possible major terrorist attack, they had failed to prevent the Easter bombings in April.
During his recent visit to Sri Lanka on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had pledged solidarity with the people of the country and had promised all possible support.
