Five men arrested in connection with car bomb explosion in Coimbatore, intel suggests terror link

Coimbatore, Oct 25: In a major development, Tamil Nadu police investigating the Coimbatore cylinder blast case, have arrested five Muslim people in connection with the case. The five arrested have been identified as Muhammad Thalka, Muhammad Azharudheen, Muhammad Riyas, Firoz Ismail, and Muhammad Nawaz Ismail.

 

 

As per the police, all accused are associates of Jameesha Mubeen, the man driving the car that exploded near the Sangameswarar Temple in Coimbatore on Sunday (23 October). They were arrested based on CCTV visuals from near Jamesha Mubeen's residence. CCTV from nearby Jamesha's residence showed the four men struggling to carry an item wrapped in a plastic sack. Suspicion arose whether this was the bomb that killed Jamesha. Officials are investigating the CCTV footage to find out what the group were carrying.

 

 

 

The blast took place in the wee hours of Sunday morning, on Saturday night, at around 11:25 PM. Police have filed complaints under Sections 174 of the IPC and 3A of the Explosive Substances Act, and an investigation has commenced.

 

 

 

It should be noted that, intelligence agencies suspect it to be a terror attack and that Mubin might be a suicide bomber. During a search at Mubin’s house, the police recovered a large cache of explosive material. The authorities believe that Mubin was “circumcised” and that the attack could have a link to ISIS.

 

While giving the information about the investigation, DGP Sylendra Babu said that the man who died had no previous cases against him, but he was in contact with a few people who were National Investigation Agency suspects.

 

He said, “During the search at Jamesa Mubin’s residence in the Kottaimedu area in Ukkadam, we have recovered chemicals like Potassium nitrate, aluminium, and sulfur, which are used to make crude bombs. We have also recovered nails and ball bearing from the spot where the explosion happened. He is not affiliated with any Organizations.”

 

Adding further he said, "He(Mubin) is not affiliated with any organisations. There is no case against the deceased person, but he has links with a few people under NIA's radar. We have identified the source of the cylinders and the car. This could not be a suicide attack. The explosion happened when the nails and bail bearing were in the car. Chemicals were in his home. We are going through his call history and inquiry the people who were in touch with him."

 

Meanwhile, Rapid Action Force has been deployed in Coimbatore for additional security. The RAF along with the police are checking vehicles entering and leaving Coimbatore.

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