Coimbatore, Nov 13 (NationPress) Following the November 10 car explosion in Delhi, the Coimbatore City Police along with the Tamil Nadu Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) have reached out to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) to investigate any possible connections of the suspects with Coimbatore.

This initiative comes in response to escalating security worries, especially considering the city’s previous encounters with ISIS-linked operatives.

A senior official from the Coimbatore City Police remarked that the alert was raised due to recognizable patterns from earlier terrorist activities. “We have contacted the NIA and IB to obtain information on suspects involved in the New Delhi car explosion, particularly to determine if they have previously visited Coimbatore. Historical incidents have indicated links to Tamil Nadu, hence we are maintaining a vigilant stance,” the officer stated.

Coimbatore has been recognized on the national terror radar since the car bomb incident on October 23, 2022, near the Kottai Sangameswarar Temple, resulting in the death of suicide bomber and self-radicalized ISIS follower Jamesha Mubeen. The NIA classified it as a “lone wolf” attack, although 17 individuals were arrested for their involvement in facilitating the terror scheme.

Security anxieties intensified following the November 2022 Mangaluru cooker bomb blast, where the accused, Mohammed Shariq, was discovered to have traversed through Coimbatore and other locations in Tamil Nadu prior to executing the attack.

Investigators believe that Shariq’s travels suggest attempts to forge connections or gather logistical assistance. “Given these prior occurrences, we are on high alert once more,” the officer added.

To enhance surveillance, the Coimbatore Police are utilizing Octopus, a specialized software designed to archive and analyze suspect data.

Officials report that approximately 140 individuals suspected of radicalization are currently under stringent observation by the city police. A dedicated media monitoring unit is persistently scanning social media platforms for indications of extremist content or dubious online behavior.

As part of preventative strategies, police teams have commenced identifying unclaimed vehicles and long-abandoned cars littered throughout the city. These vehicles are being recorded and removed to mitigate potential threats.

Sources within the ATS confirmed their close collaboration with the NIA to acquire profiles of the seven suspects associated with the New Delhi explosion. “We are awaiting comprehensive profiles. Any connection to Coimbatore will be addressed immediately,” stated a senior ATS officer.

With intelligence agencies enhancing information sharing, security measures have been bolstered across Coimbatore as authorities strive to ensure there are no local ties to the Delhi blast.

aal/dpb