Centre orders NIA probe into Coimbatore blast; NIA offices will be set up in every state, says Amit Shah

COIMBATORE: The central government has ordered an NIA probe into the Coimbatore blast case. The Tamil Nadu government had recommended an NIA probe in the event that the police found evidence that strengthened the ISIS link of one of the accused and the suspicion of a suicide attack. The NIA team reached Coimbatore yesterday and started collecting preliminary information. They interrogated all the five arrested accused.

Meanwhile, Afsqar Khan, a relative of Jamesha Mubin who died in Coimbatore Ukkadam blast, has been arrested. Police have seized a laptop, from which ingredients of explosives were possibly purchased online, from Afsqar Khan's house. The police are investigating whether the 76 and a half kg explosive ingredients seized from Jamesha Mubin's house were bought online. The police found that these were bought in several instances.

The police have written to e-commerce companies like Amazon and Flipkart seeking information on explosives sold in Coimbatore in two years. The police are also checking who ordered, how the payment was made and where it was delivered. The police suspect that the stockpile of three-quarter quintal explosives was intended for further attacks.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that NIA offices will be established in all states by 2024. Amit Shah said at the inauguration of the two-day Chintan Shivir in Haryana's Surajkund that a joint plan is being drawn up to tackle cybercrime, narcotics, cross-border terrorism, sedition and other crimes.