Pakistani Link Suspected in Ernakulam Synagogue Attack
Introductory Memo: The attack on the 800-year-old Kadavumbagam Synagogue in Ernakulam on October 12 has raised suspicions of possible international terrorist links, prompting investigations by Kerala Police and central agencies, including the NIA and intelligence units. The accused, Ebin B. Paul, was arrested and remanded to judicial custody, with investigators reportedly recovering deleted Telegram messages, communications with suspected handlers, references to planned attacks in several Indian cities, and evidence of crypto currency transactions. Authorities are also examining his alleged involvement in other arson incidents, including a fire at a used-car showroom and attacks on nearby properties. The Union Home Ministry has sought a report from the state government over possible security lapses, while two police officers have reportedly been suspended and the Kochi Police Commissioner transferred. Separately, suspicions have emerged regarding the fire at the historic Koder House in Fort Kochi, although a connection to the synagogue attack remains unconfirmed. The NIA has also conducted raids in Kerala, Assam and West Bengal in a separate investigation into the alleged activities of Imam Mahmuder Kafila, a suspected offshoot of the banned Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh. However, the alleged terrorist links and broader claims of security failures or official complicity require further investigation and independent verification.
Analytical view/ Analysis: The terror links are active and well connected with Pak groups. Telegram is the widely used social media. The accused don’t know who is the boss . Financial payments are through crypto currency.
There are indications that an international terrorist connection has been confirmed behind the attack on the 800-year-old synagogue in Ernakulam. The NIA is likely to take over the investigation in this regard. The NIA team has questioned the accused once. The attack on the Kadav Bhagam Synagogue, a Jewish place of worship in Ernakulam Market, occurred on October 12. Ebin B. Paul, arrested in connection with the incident, has been remanded to judicial custody. Central agencies including the NIA, central intelligence, and RAW have questioned him. Prohibited narcotic drugs were recovered during a search of his house.
Following the conflicts in West Asia, police security was provided 24 hours a day to all Jewish places of worship nationwide, as per the directive of the central government. The attack on the synagogue occurred at 2:30 AM on October 12. Petrol was poured on the banners and flexes in front of Blossom Horticultural Nursery, run by the synagogue’s managing trustee, and set on fire. The vehicle used was safely parked, petrol from a can in hand was completely poured onto the Blossom Nursery, and then set ablaze from a distance. Video footage of these acts was also captured. It is suspected that the footage was sent to ‘Boss’. During the inspection of the arrested Ebin’s telephone, details of his communication with terrorist groups in Pakistan via Telegram were found. It became clear that he was following all instructions given by the person referred to as ‘Boss’ without question. He does not know the real name of ‘Boss’. It has also been found that ‘Boss’ had sent messages instructing him to carry out explosions in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Mumbai, Amritsar, and Pune.
A used car showroom in Muvattupuzha was also set on fire in a similar manner. Investigation agencies suspect that the car showroom was set on fire as a preparation for the attack on the synagogue. In addition to this, it has been found that Ebin had carried out attacks on Narayanan Mandiram, an uninhabited house belonging to Vinod Bhaskaran, near his house in Mekkadamb, on January 5 and March 8. The Union Home Ministry has sought a report from the state government regarding the attack on the synagogue. The Union Home Ministry is of the view that there was a lapse in providing security, despite warnings from central intelligence agencies and instructions to maintain 24-hour vigilance. The state has been instructed to submit a report to the DGP detailing the measures taken based on the warnings received prior to the attack.
A stance of a serious lapse in security was also raised within the state police. Two police officers have been suspended. It is also indicated that the security lapse in this incident is behind the transfer of the Kochi Police Commissioner. A suspicion of terrorist links has also arisen in the fire at the Jewish house named Kodar House in Fort Kochi. The fire broke out at Kodar House, the residence of a prominent Jewish businessman, on the night of September 28 at 7 PM. The estimated loss at this century-old Jewish residence is around three crore rupees. The fire originated from the rear of the second floor of the building. Around 16 fire units, including those from the Navy and Coast Guard, worked for three and a half hours to extinguish the fire. This red building, constructed in Portuguese, European, and Keralite architectural styles, is known as Kochi Lal Kila. This building is on the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage list. S. Kodar was a prominent Jewish businessman in Kochi. They owned several establishments, including the city’s electricity distribution. Kodar House was their residence.
The Cyber Forensic division has recovered all deleted messages and documents from the arrested Ebin’s phone. Messages, including one requesting an AK-47 rifle, were found on Telegram. It has also been clarified that he had received lakhs of rupees through crypto currency. Meanwhile, the NIA has conducted raids at 16 locations in Kerala, Assam, and Bengal linked to Imam Mahmudar Kafila, a sub-organization of the banned terrorist organization Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh. In Kerala, the raid was conducted in Pattambi. Imam Mahmud Habeebulla founded Imam Mahmudar Kafila. They had a plan to carry out terrorist activities and provide extremist training in various states with the aim of destroying India. It is indicated that central agencies have obtained complete details of the terrorist network. While Kerala is becoming a playground for terrorists, the state government and police are in a position of aiding them.
Reference
- Hindustan Times https://share.google/ljophfboIL1yF0ptM
- https://share.google/vdqFFBSbCjblptnLC
- NDTV https://share.google/7tSaFKHKzQoHUJtIe
- ETV Bharat https://share.google/Xut5Os8a88YPfztJn
- The Hindu https://share.google/fHU02X1aHjT94fa2y
- YouTube https://share.google/FVG6mpgg88ItEyGuo
- https://share.google/wnh4p98kIULcaLwr3
- https://share.google/EKdjWs7jPocNBeals
News at a Glance: Jews synagogue was attacked on the wee hours by a Xian youth. Now from enquiry it is understood that he was controlled by Pak terror group.
Academic Insight: The terror groups are able to have attacks anywhere in India even after all precautions. Filtering of social media and terror links is a must
Social Media Pulse: Viral
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Article by: G K Suresh Babu