The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has intensified its investigation into the Rameshwaram Cafe blast that occurred in Bengaluru on March 1, 2024. The NIA conducted extensive raids across 11 locations in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh as part of their probe into the terror conspiracy behind the explosion.
During the raids, the NIA detained Sohail, a software engineer from Bengaluru, after searching the residence of his father, a retired principal, in Rayadurgam town, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh. Authorities discovered large sums of money had been transferred to Sohail’s bank account, raising suspicions of his involvement in the terror plot. Sohail was subsequently taken to Rayadurgam police station for questioning.
The NIA has linked the bomb blast to Mussavir Hussain Shazib and Abdul Mateen Ahmed Taha, who was arrested on April 12, 2024, near Kolkata, West Bengal. Both individuals, residents of Thirthahalli in Shivamogga district, Karnataka, have been identified as the attack’s primary perpetrators and chief conspirators.
In a parallel operation, the NIA arrested a former convict in transit in Telangana. The agency also searched the homes of two doctors, Zafar Iqbal and Nayueem Siddique, in Coimbatore, seizing mobile phones and SIM cards. Both doctors, originally from Karnataka, have trained at a private hospital in Coimbatore for the past two years.
The blast at the popular Rameshwaram Cafe on ITPL Road in Brookfield injured several customers and staff members and caused significant property damage. On March 3, 2024, the Bengaluru Police handed over the case to the NIA.
The investigation has revealed a complex web of conspirators and supporters, including individuals convicted in the 2012 LeT Conspiracy case of Bengaluru and Hubli districts. The targeted searches by the NIA led to the seizure of various digital devices and documents, which are currently being examined for further evidence. Authorities have released a CCTV image of a suspect involved in the Rameshwaram Cafe blast and announced a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh for information leading to his arrest. The suspect was seen wearing a cap and carrying a backpack, which was left at the cafe, containing the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) that caused the explosion.
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