Chennai: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has carried out simultaneous raids in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, related to the Coimbatore and Mangalore bombings.
The NIA has detained three individuals from Ernakulam district in Kerala, who are suspected to have links with the Mangalore blast. The NIA has also directed one individual to appear at their office in Kochi.
During the raids, the NIA seized documents related to financial transactions, mobile phones, and digital evidence from various locations. The individuals who were detained are Ashokan (50), also known as Pindi Asokan, Riyas (48) and Siraj, who is a resident of Thoppumpadi.
The NIA is investigating people who are believed to have helped the accused stay in hiding and provided financial support. The raids were also conducted in Coimbatore, Trishinappalli, Nilgiris, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Chennai, Thiruvannamalai, Dindigal, Mayiladumthura, Krishnagiri, Kanyakumari, Tenkasi and Mysuru in Karnataka.
The raids were based on the statement given by the wife of Jamesha Mubeen, who was killed in a suicide bombing in front of the Kotai Easwaran temple in Coimbatore on October 23, 2022. The NIA has confirmed that the bombing was carried out with the support of ISIS.