The National Investigation Agency (NIA) announced on Friday that it has apprehended two individuals involved in the explosion at Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru last month. Mussavir Hussain Shazeb and Abdul Matheen Taha were captured in Kanthi, located in Bengal's East Midnapore district, following a joint operation conducted by central intelligence agencies and police from Bengal, Karnataka, Telangana, and Kerala. The NIA stated that Shazeb was responsible for planting the explosive device, concealed in a backpack, at the crowded eatery, while Taha was involved in planning the attack and orchestrating their escape.
These arrests mark the second and third apprehensions in connection with the case. Muzammil Shareef, who provided logistical support to Shazeb and Taha, was detained earlier. Shazeb and Taha, residents of Karnataka's Shivamogga district, were tracked down in Kanthi after authorities conducted searches at 18 locations across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh.
The explosion at Rameshwaram Cafe on March 1 left 10 people injured, including customers and staff. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, as the explosive-laden bag was placed in a less crowded area and against a sturdy pillar that absorbed much of the impact of the blast. Following the incident, the NIA circulated photos and videos of the suspects captured by CCTV cameras in Bengaluru, offering a reward of ₹10 lakh for information leading to their arrest. The agency also interviewed their associates, including classmates and friends from school and college.
Despite sustaining significant damage from the explosion, Rameshwaram Cafe resumed operations eight days later, implementing heightened security measures such as the installation of metal detectors.
