Bengaluru cafe blast mastermind, bomber arrested from Bengal
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has detained two suspects linked to the Rameshwaram Cafe explosion in Bengaluru on March 1, which injured at least 10 individuals. The suspects, Abdul Mateen Taha and Musavir Hussain Shajib, were tracked down by the NIA to their hideout near Kolkata. According to the NIA, Shajib planted the improvised explosive device (IED) at the cafe while Taha orchestrated the entire operation.
Visuals of the suspects
Cryptocurrency transactions under investigation
Before their arrests, the NIA had interrogated three men from Maharashtra regarding their alleged cryptocurrency transactions with two men wanted in the blast. A high-ranking officer disclosed that the suspects had been dealing in cryptocurrency to cover up their financial dealings. The funds generated through these transactions reportedly allowed them to maintain a low profile without needing any direct contact with their families or supporters.
Investigation spans across multiple Indian states
The investigation into these financial transactions had led NIA officers across various parts of India, including Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MEA) handed over the investigation into the Rameshwaram Cafe blast to the NIA days after the blast. The inquiry entailed evaluating footage from over 1,000 CCTV cameras to identify the primary suspects.
Blast may be linked to Shivamogga ISIS module
Previously, officials suspected the blast was linked to the Shivamogga ISIS module, which has been implicated in three terrorist attacks in South India in the last five years. In recent years, eleven people from this module in Karnataka's Thirthahalli have been radicalized. On March 28, the NIA arrested Muzammil Shareef, a co-conspirator in the case, after conducting 18 raids, including 12 in Karnataka, five in Tamil Nadu, and one in Uttar Pradesh.