The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made a significant breakthrough in the Rameshwaram Cafe blast case by apprehending the mastermind and perpetrator responsible for the explosion in Bengaluru. Identified as Abdul Matheen Taha and Mussavir Hussain Shazeb, the two key absconders were traced to a hideout near Kolkata and subsequently arrested by the NIA team.
Mussavir Hussain Shazeb is alleged to have placed the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at the cafe, while Abdul Matheen Taha is believed to be the mastermind behind the planning, execution of the blast, and subsequent evasion from law enforcement.
According to the NIA, the successful operation to locate and arrest the absconding accused near Kolkata was made possible through coordinated efforts and cooperation between NIA, Central Intelligence agencies, and State Police agencies of West Bengal, Telangana, Karnataka, and Kerala.
The arrests follow an intensified investigation by the anti-terror agency, which expanded its scope to delve into the social circles and past associations of the accused, including their friends from school and college. The agency’s focus on tracing connections and motives involved summoning and scrutinizing acquaintances of both absconding and arrested individuals.
In its pursuit of justice, the NIA has left no stone unturned, requesting the cooperation of all stakeholders in apprehending the absconding accused. The agency had earlier identified the two accused residents of Thirthahalli area in Karnataka’s Shivamogga district and arrested Muzammil Shareef of Khalsa in Chikkamagaluru for providing logistics support to the main accused.
To track down the absconding suspects, the NIA conducted searches across 18 locations in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh. Furthermore, on March 29, the agency announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for any information leading to the arrest of each absconder.
The recent arrests mark a significant milestone in the ongoing investigation into the Rameshwaram Cafe blast, underscoring the NIA’s commitment to unraveling the complexities surrounding the alleged activities and motives of the accused individuals.
