The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has apprehended two individuals suspected in connection with the Rameshwaram Cafe blast case, which occurred in Bengaluru on March 1.
Identified as Abdul Matheen Taha and Mussavir Hussain Shazib, the duo was arrested near Kolkata, ending a widespread manhunt.
Taha, believed to be the mastermind behind the attack, and Shazib, identified as the individual who placed the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at the cafe, were traced to a hideout in the Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal.
The arrest was made in a joint operation between the NIA and the West Bengal Police.
According to NIA sources, the suspects had been hiding under false identities in a hotel in Digha for several days before their capture.
Both individuals hail from Thirthahalli in Karnataka’s Shivamogga district, with Taha being an IT engineer and Shazib suspected of involvement with the Shivamogga Islamic State (IS) module.
Related News: Explosion Hits Bengaluru’s Rameshwaram Cafe: Suspect Identified, Investigation Underway
The NIA’s breakthrough came after extensive analysis of CCTV footage from over 300 cameras, which confirmed the involvement of Shazib and Taha, known ISIS members who came to the attention of security agencies in 2020.
The agency had previously released CCTV images from a clothing store in a Chennai mall, identifying the main suspect and his associate. A cap left behind by one of the suspects at the scene of the blast ultimately led authorities to the mall.
Also Read: The Rameshwaram Cafe: A Tale of Food, Vision, and Perseverance
Prior to their arrest, the NIA had offered a reward of ₹10 lakh for information leading to the apprehension of the perpetrators. The agency has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the identities of informants and has urged the public to continue cooperating with the investigation.
The arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the Rameshwaram Cafe blast, which left nine people injured.
