Plan Was To Plant IED At Temple To Instill Terror Among Hindus: NIA Chargesheet On Mangaluru Pressure Cooker Blast

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a chargesheet on Wednesday (29 November) against two individuals involved in the pressure cooker blast in Mangaluru, Karnataka, sponsored by the Islamic State (IS) in November last year.

Mohamed Shariq, one of the individuals named in the chargesheet, was transporting the pressure cooker improvised explosive device (IED) in an auto-rickshaw when it detonated on 19 November 2022. Shariq sustained injuries in the blast.

According to the NIA statement, Shariq had intended to plant the IED at the Kadri Manjunatha Temple in Mangaluru to instill terror among the Hindu community. However, the low-intensity bomb accidentally exploded en route.

The federal agency took over the investigation on 23 November 2022, and subsequently arrested Shariq and his associate Syed Shariq in July of this year, Hindustan Times reported.

The NIA revealed that Shariq and Syed, along with an online handler, had conspired to orchestrate the explosion as part of a larger plan to establish a Caliphate under Sharia Law.

“In pursuance of the conspiracy, Mohamed Shariq had prepared the pressure cooker IED, and Syed Yasin had provided material support for the explosive," stated the NIA.

Shariq first came to the attention of security forces in November 2020 when he was arrested by state police for pro-terror graffiti in Mangaluru, supporting the Islamic State (IS).

Shariq was also implicated in the Shivamogga Islamic State Conspiracy Case of 2022, where 10 individuals, including Shariq and Syed Yasin, were charged on 30 June for radicalising and recruiting Muslim youth, fundraising, and conducting a trial blast to further anti-India activities of IS.

Earlier this year, the Islamic State for Khurasan Province (ISKP) claimed responsibility for the Coimbatore and Mangaluru blasts in its propaganda magazine 'Voice of Khurasan', urging operatives in South India to wage war against Hindus and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).