Triumph in Justice: Coimbatore Blast Suspect Arrested After 29 Years

Chennai, India – In a significant breakthrough for law enforcement, Tamil Nadu Director General of Police (DGP) Shankar Jiwal today lauded the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) for their remarkable success in the Coimbatore blast suspect arrest after nearly three decades. The arrest of Tailor Raja, a key accused in the 1995 Coimbatore blast case and other heinous crimes, marks a pivotal moment in the state’s relentless fight against terrorism.

Addressing the media in Chennai on Friday, July 11, 2025, DGP Jiwal confirmed the apprehension of Tailor Raja, who had eluded capture for an astonishing 29 years. The DGP expressed immense confidence that Tamil Nadu is well on its way to becoming a state completely free of terrorist activities, a testament to the dedicated efforts of its police force.

The press conference also served to highlight the impressive strides made by the Tamil Nadu ATS, a specialized unit established relatively recently in November 2023. Despite its short operational period, the ATS has demonstrated exceptional efficacy, currently investigating 40 cases with a proven track record of securing critical arrests. DGP Jiwal underscored the collaborative spirit that led to these successes, acknowledging the crucial support from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka police forces, as well as various central agencies. He specifically noted the recent arrests of individuals who had been fugitives for 30 years, 26 years, and now Tailor Raja after 29 years, emphasizing the ATS’s unwavering commitment to bringing justice to victims, no matter how long it takes.

The long-awaited Coimbatore blast suspect arrest of Tailor Raja brings a glimmer of hope for closure to the victims and families impacted by the devastating 1998 Coimbatore bomb blasts. These horrific attacks tragically claimed 58 lives and left 250 people injured. Tailor Raja’s criminal record extends beyond the 1998 blasts; he is also implicated in a 1996 petrol bomb attack in Coimbatore that resulted in the death of Jail Warden Boopalan, the 1996 Sayeetha murder case in Nagore, and the 1997 murder of Jailor Jayaprakash in Madurai. His apprehension by a special team comprising ATS and Coimbatore City Police in Karnataka’s Vijayapura district, following precise intelligence, underscores the meticulous planning and execution involved in this high-profile operation.

This particular Coimbatore blast suspect arrest is part of a broader series of recent successes for the ATS. In recent weeks, working in close coordination with the Coimbatore City Police, the ATS has also managed to capture India’s most wanted accused, Abubacker Siddique and Mohamed Ali alias Yunus, from the Annamayya District in Andhra Pradesh. These arrests collectively demonstrate the strengthened capabilities and heightened resolve of Tamil Nadu’s law enforcement agencies in dismantling terror networks.

DGP Jiwal concluded his address by reassuring the public of the police force’s steadfast dedication to maintaining peace and security across the state. He reiterated the commitment to proactively counter any threats, reinforcing the message that Tamil Nadu will indeed be free from terrorist activities in the days to come. The continued success in such critical operations, highlighted by the recent Coimbatore blast suspect arrest, serves as a powerful deterrent to extremist elements and a beacon of hope for a secure future.