Chennai, Oct 30
Police in Coimbatore and nearby districts stepped up security after intelligence agencies issued an alert.
According to Coimbatore police sources, security has been intensified across key locations, including shopping malls, railway stations, airports, schools, colleges, and religious sites.
The Central agencies have also issued alerts for neighbouring western districts, such as The Nilgiris, Erode, and Salem.
In 2022, a car bomb blast near the Sangameswarar Temple in Ukkadam claimed the life of a 29-year-old youth.
The 2022 incident involved Jamisha Mubeen, who, inspired by IS ideology, attempted a suicide bombing near the Ukkadam market.
However, the vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) detonated prematurely on October 23, 2022, near the ancient Kottai Sangameswarar Temple on Eswaran Kovil Street, resulting in his death.
Following the blast, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested 14 individuals, including Mohammed Talka, the nephew of S. A. Basha, founder of the Al-Umma terror organisation.
Al-Umma was responsible for the 1998 Coimbatore serial bomb blasts that killed 58 people and injured many others, with then Deputy Prime Minister L. K. Advani as the intended target.