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On 23 October 2022, around 4:00 AM, an LPG cylinder in a Maruti Suzuki 800 car exploded, killing the driver and damaging the Kottai Eswaran temple, located in the communally sensitive Kottaimedu region in Coimbatore, India.
The deceased driver was identified as 25-year-old Jamesha Mubin from Kottaipudur, near GM Nagar in Ukkadam. During the investigation, after finding explosive paraphernalia at his residence, it came to light that Mubin was questioned by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) back in 2019 and was already on the watchlist of the Tamil Nadu police. He allegedly was also in touch with one of the Easter Bombing perpetrators and Islamic State linked, Zahran Hashim, who exploded himself at Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
While originally thought to be an 'accident,' local intelligence agencies are now confirming the blast was “Fidayeen attack” or terrorist attack, particularly given Mubin's history and the explosive materials found in his residence. However, authorities recovered an unexploded LPG cylinder along with steel ball bearings, glass pebbles, and aluminum and iron nails from the scene. This discovery along with the fact no one else was killed or injured does beg the question as to whether or not Mubin committed a fatal error.
It should be noted that the Kottai Eswaran Temple is Ukkadam’s most famous Hindu temple and the blast happened just a day before Diwali. As firecrackers are a significant part of Diwali celebrations, it is likely that the perpetrators intended for the vehicle explosion to represent the same. Additionally, according to Hindu tradition, 4:00 AM is considered to be a very auspicious time for prayers and considering the festival of Diwali, the temple crowd was likely to be at its peak, hence, causing more damage and fatalities.
Two days later, local authorities detained five men allegedly associated with Jamesha Mubin and are suspected of helping Mubin carry out the operation. The five who were apprehended have been identified as Mohammed Dalga, Mohammed Azharuddin, Mohammed Riyas, Feroz Ismail, and Mohammed Anas Ismail.
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