Bengaluru Café Blast Updates: The arrest of two individuals, including the “mastermind,” by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday in relation to the Rameshwaram Cafe blast case in Bengaluru on March 1 near Kolkata in West Bengal, is a noteworthy development.
NIA Catches the Rameshwaram Cafe Blast Mastermind
BREAKING: 2 chief suspects in the Rameshwaram Cafe blast case detained by NIA in West Bengal — bomber Mussavir Hussain Shazib & accomplice Abdul Matheen Ahmed Taahaa. Both suspected to belong to ISIS cell in Shivamogga,#Karnataka.
#RameshwaramCafeblast pic.twitter.com/RkSPw2HGja
— POWER CORRIDORS (@power_corridors) April 12, 2024
The NIA released a statement identifying the individuals as Abdul Matheen Taha, the mastermind behind the planning and execution of the blast, and Mussavir Hussain Shazib, the accused who placed the IED at the Rameshwaram Cafe.
Also Read: Suspect “Bomber” from Rameshwaram cafe blast seen getting on a BMTC bus in recent CCTV footage
“The NIA was successful in tracking down the fugitives near Kolkata, where they were hiding under false identities, early on April 12, 2024. In an NIA statement, it was stated that “vigorous coordinated action and cooperation between NIA, Central Intelligence agencies and State Police agencies of West Bengal, Telengana (Telangana), Karnataka, and Kerala police ably supported this pursuit, which was successfully accomplished by NIA.”
It further stated, “Abdul Matheen Taha is the mastermind behind the planning, execution of the blast, and subsequent evasion from the clutches of law. Mussavir Hussain Shazib is the accused who placed the IED at the café.”
Also Read: NIA nabs Rameshwaram Cafe Blast Suspect in Karnataka
A reward of ₹10 lakh had been offered by the NIA earlier for information leading to the identity of the bomber in relation to the explosion at the Rameshwaram cafe in Bengaluru. Additionally, the agency emphasized that the identities of the informants will remain confidential. NIA made the suspect’s photo public.
The agency also unveiled a photo of the bomber, taken from CCTV footage as he was storing a bag in the Rameshwaram Cafe, a well-known restaurant in Bengaluru’s Brookfield neighbourhood. The bomber can be seen wearing black pants, black shoes, and a cap in the photo that the NIA released.
“Any information leading to his (the bomber’s) arrest shall be rewarded,” the NIA emphasized in the post.
Three days after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) turned over the investigation into the case to the anti-terror agency, the NIA announced the reward.