In a crucial breakthrough linked to the 2022 car bomb blast in Coimbatore, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) apprehended four more suspects on Wednesday for allegedly recruiting individuals into the outlawed terrorist outfit, Islamic State (IS). With these detentions, the total number of arrests in the case across Tamil Nadu has risen to eight.
The latest suspects — Ahmed Ali, Jawahar Sathik, Raja Abdullah (alias MAC Raja), and Sheik Dawood — were reportedly influenced by Jameel Basha, who founded the Madras Arabic College. Authorities claim Basha and his associates subtly instilled Salafi-Jihadist beliefs in young minds under the pretext of teaching Arabic.
These arrests follow the ongoing inquiry into the October 23, 2022, car explosion near the Sangameswarar Temple, which killed Jameesha Mubin — later identified as a supporter of IS ideology.
Earlier, the NIA had taken into custody Basha and three others — Irshath, Syed Abdur Rahman, and Mohammed Hussain — accused of using both educational setups and social media platforms to indoctrinate youth.
During a raid at the Arabic college in Kuniyamuthur, officers reportedly discovered materials advocating IS propaganda.
Officials said this move is part of a wider crackdown on radicalisation hubs embedded in educational spaces throughout Tamil Nadu. The probe continues.
Meanwhile, in Dindigul, the NIA detained Raja Mohammed (35) for allegedly sharing pro-ISIS content online. He was initially questioned at Palani Town Police Station before being moved to Coimbatore. He had previously been questioned for similar actions in 2021.