NIA Apprehends Two in Bengaluru’s Rameshwaram Cafe Blast: Alleged ‘Mastermind’ and IED Planter
The individuals involved in the Bengaluru cafe blast have been identified as Mussavir Hussain Shazib, who planted the IED, and Abdul Matheen Taha, the alleged mastermind behind the attack.
In a significant development, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday apprehended two individuals, including the “mastermind,” in connection with the Bengaluru Cafe Blast Case that occurred on March 1 near Kolkata in West Bengal.
The individuals apprehended have been identified as Mussavir Hussain Shazib, who is accused of placing the IED at the Rameshwaram Cafe, and Abdul Matheen Taha, who is alleged to be the mastermind behind the planning and execution of the blast, according to a statement from the NIA.
“In the early morning hours of April 12, 2024, the NIA successfully located the absconding accused near Kolkata, where they were hiding under false identities. This achievement by the NIA was facilitated through coordinated efforts and cooperation between the NIA, Central Intelligence agencies, and the State Police agencies of West Bengal, Telangana, Karnataka, and Kerala,” stated the NIA.
Mussavir Hussain Shazib and Abdul Matheen Taha
“Mussavir Hussain Shazib is the individual accused of placing the IED at the café, while Abdul Matheen Taha is identified as the mastermind behind the planning, execution of the blast, and subsequent evasion from law enforcement,”
The NIA had previously declared a reward of ₹10 lakh for any information regarding the individual responsible for the blast at Bengaluru’s Rameshwaram cafe. Additionally, the agency stressed that the confidentiality of informants’ identities would be safeguarded.
NIA released picture of the suspect
The agency also circulated an image of the bomber, taken from CCTV footage, depicting them placing a bag in the Rameshwaram Cafe, a renowned eatery situated in Bengaluru’s Brookfield area.
The image released by the NIA shows the bomber sporting a cap, black trousers, and black shoes.
The NIA also highlighted in the post that any information resulting in the arrest of the bomber would be rewarded.
Three days after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) transferred the investigation into the case to the anti-terror agency, the NIA announced the reward.
The NIA assumes control of the case
The NIA took over the case on March 3, after a team from the agency visited the blast site. The explosion occurred at the cafe in Bengaluru’s Whitefield area on March 1 during the busy lunch hour, resulting in injuries to several people.
Previously, the Bengaluru Police had filed a case under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Explosives Substances Act concerning the explosion at the cafe.
At 1 pm on March 1, the explosion occurred, and the police identified a suspect in the CCTV footage placing a bag inside the cafe. The ongoing police investigation suggests that the explosion was caused by an IED device equipped with a timer.
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