After NIA, TN police detect IS module in Kovai

On Thursday, Coimbatore city police conducted searches at the residence of the three people identified as Mohammed Hussain, Shajahan and Shabiyullah after booking them for conspiracy, being members of a terror outfit and supporting a terrorist organisation and a Section of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Police have reportedly recovered digital devices from the trio during the search operation.

Police believe that the second module was also in touch with Hashim, the mastermind of Sri Lanka Easter serial bombing, in which more than 250 people were killed. Like Mohammed Azarudeen of the first module, these three were also in constant touch with Hashim through social media.

On Wednesday, NIA sleuths had searched houses and offices of Azarudeen and five others belonging to an IS module and they were questioned for their links with Hashim. NIA Kochi had filed cases against the six on May 30.

“Inputs on the activities of the suspects were already available. The State police and NIA were waiting for election-related activities to get over before zeroing in on the people linked to terror outfits,” a source said.