Just yesterday, an Air India flight from Madurai, Tamil Nadu, en route to Singapore, was disrupted by a bomb threat. While the situation may seem alarming, incidents like these raise a bigger question—what’s happening in Tamil Nadu?

Did you know that Tamil Nadu has the highest number of ISIS sympathizers in India? This startling fact has come to light through multiple investigations and operations conducted by agencies like the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).

The state has become a focal point for several high-profile operations aimed at curbing terrorism and smuggling activities, making it a critical area of concern for national security.

Yesterday, Singapore’s Minister of Defence issued a statement regarding a bomb threat received by Air India Express via email. The threat targeted an Air India flight en route to Singapore, prompting two RSAF F-15SG fighter jets to scramble and escort the plane safely.

The flight had taken off from Madurai, Tamil Nadu, raising concerns due to the region’s security challenges. While bomb threats are not uncommon, this incident shines a spotlight on a deeper issue: Tamil Nadu’s alarming link to extremist activities.

According to a 2019 report by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), out of all the ISIS sympathizers arrested across India, the highest number—33—were from Tamil Nadu. This fact proves the state’s growing role in national security concerns.

NIA operation:

There has long been a strong link between the rise in gold smuggling and terrorism, a connection that has become increasingly evident in Tamil Nadu. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been conducting numerous raids across the state, with one of the key triggers being the Coimbatore blast.

In a significant discovery, the NIA uncovered that an Arabic college in Tamil Nadu was being used as a hub for ISIS recruitment and radicalization. Lets not forget that the terrorist recruits were running a college.

The NIA ops are usually accompanied by ED (enforcement directorate) DRI (Directorate of Revenue Intelligence ) and NCB Narcotics Control Bureau operations.

NCB operation:

Earlier this year a Tamilian director, Sadiq, ws arrested by NCB for smuggling drugs worth Rs 2000 crores.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) discovered that Sadiq, along with his brother Mohammed Saleem and others, was actively involved in the export and concealment of pseudoephedrine and other narcotics. Sadiq, who held key positions in several companies, is accused of using these entities to facilitate and launder profits from drug trafficking.

DRI operation:

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has uncovered a significant surge in gold smuggling operations originating from Tamil Nadu. What started as a discreet operation quickly evolved into a widespread network that has forced authorities to intensify security measures across the state.

Modus Operandi: The initial strategy involved Sri Lankan transit passengers handing over smuggled gold to airport shop employees or contract staff in areas like restrooms, where CCTV cameras could not track their activities. To counter this, authorities tightened security at Tamil Nadu airports.

As a result, smugglers, including those with terrorist ties, shifted their operations to sea routes. Just last week, in a major operation, the DRI seized 6.6 kg of gold worth Rs 4.56 crore. The gold had been smuggled into Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka via the sea, marking a concerning trend in both illegal smuggling and potential links to terrorism.

While drug, gold, and weapon smuggling is not uncommon, Tamil Nadu has drawn particular attention due to the separatist tendencies displayed by some of its leaders and their soft corner for terrorists organisations like LTTE.

Historically, the early signs of insurgency in regions like Punjab, Kashmir, and the Northeast often involved drug smuggling. What’s more concerning is that the networks involved in smuggling gold, drugs, and weapons are often interconnected, posing a significant threat to national security.

Many might still be puzzled how a bomb threat on an Air India flight is related to inimical elements? A humble reminder at the peak of terrorist activities of Khalistan group in Punjab, Kanishka bombing took place.

Thankfully the call made to Singapore yesterday was a hoax call.