Inside The Coimbatore Car Bomb Case: How NIA Exposed a Kovai Arabic College Terror Cell
In a significant move to combat extremism, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested 4 more individuals in a case located around Kovai Arabic College in Tamil Nadu. This brings the total number of arrests to 8, exposing a network accused of radicalising and recruiting individuals for terrorist activities. The case, linked to the deadly Coimbatore car bomb blast of October 2022, has raised serious concerns about the misuse of educational institutions and technology to spread extremist ideologies.
The Latest Arrests
The four recently arrested individuals are Ahmed Ali, Jawahar Sathik, Raja Abdullah (also known as MAC Raja), and Sheikh Dawood. According to the NIA, these men were radicalised by Jameel Basha, the founder of Madras Arabic College, who was among the four previously arrested alongside Irshath, Syed Abdur Rahman, and Mohammed Hussain. The agency’s investigation, registered under case number RC.No.01/2023/NIA/CHE, exposes how coordinated efforts are made to promote terrorism and violence.
|
Accused |
Role |
|---|---|
|
Ahmed Ali |
Radicalised by Jameel Basha, promoted extremist ideologies |
|
Jawahar Sathik |
Involved in spreading propaganda through social media |
|
Raja Abdullah (MAC Raja) |
Advocated violence to establish an Islamic state |
|
Sheik Dawood |
Participated in recruitment efforts via encrypted platforms |
|
Jameel Basha |
Founder of Madras Arabic College, chief mentor of radicalisation efforts |
|
Irshath |
Supported classroom and online radicalisation activities |
|
Syed Abdur Rahman |
Promoted Khilafat ideology and martyrdom through jihad |
|
Mohammed Hussain |
Assisted in circulating extremist content via WhatsApp and Telegram |
Jameel Basha’s Role
Jameel Basha, identified as the mastermind, used his position at Madras Arabic College to propagate Salafi-Jihadi ideology. His pre-recorded lectures were shown to students in classrooms and shared widely on platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. This dual approach, combining traditional teaching with digital outreach allowed the network to reach a broader audience. The NIA alleges that Basha’s teachings glorified martyrdom through jihad and called for armed struggle to overthrow the government and establish an Islamic state.
Connection to the Coimbatore Blast
The case came to light during the NIA’s investigation into the Coimbatore car bomb blast on October 22, 2022. Jamesha Mubeen, the suicide bomber, detonated a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) near an ancient temple, causing widespread alarm. The NIA linked Mubeen to the Kovai Arabic College network, claiming that the extremist ideologies he embraced were rooted in the college’s activities. Ten individuals arrested in the blast case were found to be part of an encrypted mobile platform group, further tying the incident to the radicalisation efforts.
The accused also reportedly praised Zahran Hashim, the Sri Lankan jihadist behind the 2019 Colombo attacks that killed over 250 civilians. This connection emphasises the global influences at play and the potential for local networks to get inspired from international terrorists.
Methods of Radicalisation
The NIA’s findings reveal a sophisticated operation. The group exploited both classroom settings and social media to spread their message. In classrooms, students were given extremist teachings under the disguise of Arabic language instructions. Online, encrypted apps like WhatsApp and Telegram were used to share propaganda and coordinate activities secretly. This mix of traditional and digital methods made it challenging for authorities to detect and disrupt the network.
The ideologies promoted were very alarming. The accused preached Khilafat ideology, which seeks to establish a global Islamic caliphate, and promoted violent jihad as a path to martyrdom. They encouraged followers to use violence to dismantle the democratically elected government, posing a direct threat to national security.
NIA’s Commitment
The NIA has been committed in its efforts to dismantle this network. “NIA investigations have revealed that the accused had promoted Khilafat ideology and martyrdom through jihad, promoting violence and armed struggle to establish an Islamic state after removing the democratically elected government,” the agency stated. The NIA remains committed to curbing extremist activities and safeguarding national security, with ongoing investigations expected to uncover more details about the network’s reach and connections.
Broader Implications
This case highlights the disturbing trend of educational institutions being misused for extremist purposes. While madrasas have faced scrutiny as potential hubs for terrorism for a very long time, Arabic colleges are now emerging as new concerns. The use of technology, particularly encrypted messaging apps, adds another layer of difficulty for monitoring and preventing such activities. Critics, however, warn that claims like these about educational institutions risk stigmatising entire communities and call for a balanced approach that targets specific threats without igniting division.
The arrests also raise questions about the influence of global terrorist figures like Zahran Hashim on local networks. The NIA’s findings suggest that the accused drew inspiration from international jihadist movements, highlighting the need for coordinated efforts to counter both local and global extremism.
Looking Ahead
The arrest of these four additional accused marks a pivotal step in dismantling a dangerous network that threatened India’s peace and security. However, the investigation is far from over. The NIA is likely to probe further into the network’s connections, both within India and abroad, to prevent future threats. This case serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance in monitoring educational institutions and digital platforms to ensure they remain spaces for learning and connection, not hate and violence.
The NIA’s proactive approach sends a clear message: those who seek to radicalise and recruit for terrorist activities will face fast and strong action.
