Coimbatore blast accused Tailor Raja arrested in Karnataka after 27 years on the run
PTC Web Desk: In a major development nearly 27 years after the devastating Coimbatore serial bombings, the Tamil Nadu Police have arrested a long-absconding accused, Tailor Raja, in Karnataka. The arrest marks a crucial breakthrough in one of Tamil Nadu’s most tragic terror incidents. Identified also by the aliases Sadiq and Valarntha Raja, the accused was wanted for allegedly supplying explosives used in the 1998 serial blasts that rocked Coimbatore, killing 58 persons and injuring over 200.
The attacks were reportedly aimed at assassinating senior BJP leader LK Advani, who was due to speak at an election rally in the city that day. According to police sources, Raja is believed to be a member of the now-outlawed radical Islamic group Al Ummah. He had managed to elude capture for over two decades, making him one of the longest-evading suspects in the high-profile case.
Officials confirmed that sustained surveillance and intelligence efforts finally led to Raja’s arrest in Karnataka. He is now being brought to Coimbatore for further legal proceedings and interrogation.
Seventeen individuals, including Al Ummah founder SA Basha, were earlier convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for their roles in the coordinated blasts. Raja's arrest is expected to revive critical leads in the long-dormant investigation.
- With inputs from agencies
