The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made significant progress in the investigation of the 2022 ISIS-inspired Coimbatore car bomb blast case by charging one more individual in connection with the incident. Thaha Naseer has been identified as the 14th accused and has been chargesheeted under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Explosive Substances Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UA(P)A).The NIA filed its third supplementary chargesheet on Friday, focusing on the explosion that occurred in front of the Kottai Sangameshwarar temple at Eswaran Kovil Street in Ukkadam, Coimbatore. This blast, which took place on October 23, 2022, was caused by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device driven by the accused Jamesha Mubeen, who lost his life in the explosion.
According to the NIA, the motive behind the explosion was to avenge the alleged incarceration of Mohammed Azaruddin, who was arrested in 2019 for propagating ISIS ideology. Azaruddin, while in prison, had reportedly incited his associates to target non-believers of Islam.
Investigations by the NIA have revealed that Thaha Naseer was closely associated with Jamesha Mubeen and Umar Faaruq, the leader of the terror attack. Umar Faaruq had recruited individuals with similar extremist ideologies, including Jamesha Mubeen, Mohammed Thoufeek, and Thaha Naseer.
Further investigation unveiled that Mohammed Thoufeek and Thaha Naseer had visited Jamesha Mubeen’s house a week before the blast to plan a series of terror attacks using explosives.