NIA files chargesheet against 2 more people in ISIS-inspired Coimbatore car blast case; 13 accused named so far

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday filed chargesheet against two more accused of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis)-Inspired by the 2022 Coimbatore car bomb blast case. Along with this, charge sheet has been filed against 13 accused in the case so far.

In the supplementary charge sheet filed by the NIA on Wednesday, Mohammed Azaruddin alias Azar and Mohammed Idris – both residents of Coimbatore – were named as accused in the terror attack case and charged under Indian Penal Code (IPC), Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Charges were filed under various sections of (Prevention). ) Act (UAPA) and Explosive Substances Act.

The NIA had earlier filed charge sheets against a total of 11 people on April 20 and June 2 last year.

Case

The case pertains to an explosion in front of the ancient Arulmigu Kottai Sangameshwara Thirukkovil temple on Easwaran Kovil Street in Ukkadam, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu on October 13, 2022.

The blast was carried out through a Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED), which was piloted by Jamesa Mubeen, who was inspired by the radicalized ISIS ideology to carry out the horrific act of terror.

The NIA, which began investigating the case on October 27, 2022, had found that Jamesa Mubeen, along with Mohammed Azaruddin, Omar Farooq, Sheikh Hidayatullah and Sanofer Ali, had conspired to carry out a series of suicide terror attacks in Coimbatore city. Was composed. Following a conspiracy hatched in the forest area of ​​Sathyamangalam area of ​​Erode district of Tamil Nadu.

The NIA said in a statement that the attack was aimed at taking vengeance on “infidels” (unbelievers), as stated in one of the self-made confessional videos made by the accused days before the attack.

According to the investigating agency, Azaruddin, who worked as a teacher for the module involved in the attack, was earlier arrested in another NIA case in connection with indoctrinating his followers in ISIS ideology and his connection with National Tauheed Jamaat. .NTJ) The Sri Lankan module, which was responsible for the 2019 Easter blasts attacks.

The NIA investigation also revealed that Ajrudin had inspired three other accused, who had met him at Viyyur HSP while he was in jail.

“This was followed by the Sathyamangalam conspiracy meeting, which resulted in the planning and preparation of an immediate terrorist attack. Accused Umar Farooq was chosen as Ameer to lead the execution,” the NIA said.

Further, the investigating agency revealed that Mohammad Idris, who was part of Azrudin’s module and was radicalized in ISIS and was given the ‘statements’ of accused Zahran Hashim tasked him with purchasing the vehicle used for the blast and assisting the main accused. I went. attack.

“The larger objective of the conspiracy was to create terror in the minds of a section of the society by targeting its various branches including general administration, police, judiciary,” the statement said.

Further investigation of the case is ongoing.