NIA Apprehends Rameshwaram Cafe Blast Mastermind and Bomber in Kolkata

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) announced on Friday that it had apprehended the main perpetrator and mastermind behind the explosion at Rameshwaram cafe in Bengaluru.

The two key fugitives in the Rameswaram Cafe blast case, identified as Abdul Matheen Taha and Mussavir Hussain Shazeb, were located at their hideout near Kolkata and arrested by the NIA team, officials confirmed.

Mussavir Hussain Shazeb, responsible for placing the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at the cafe, and Abdul Matheen Taha, the brains behind the planning and execution of the blast, were apprehended by NIA in the early hours of Friday. The suspects had been hiding under false identities.

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The successful operation, led by NIA, was facilitated by coordinated efforts among NIA, Central Intelligence agencies, and State Police agencies of West Bengal, Telangana, Karnataka, and Kerala.

The arrests come after the anti-terror agency expanded its investigation by scrutinizing the social circles and past associations of the accused, including their friends from school and college.

In its pursuit of justice, the NIA intensified efforts by summoning and questioning acquaintances, including college and school-time friends, of both absconding and arrested accused.

Individuals from various aspects of the suspects’ lives were questioned to gather crucial evidence and information relevant to the case, as the agency aimed to piece together the puzzle surrounding the alleged activities of the accused.

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As part of the investigation into the Rameshwaram Cafe blast, the NIA had earlier identified the two key accused who carried out the IED blast. Additionally, Muzammil Shareef, who provided logistics support to the main accused, was arrested and examined in police custody.

The NIA conducted searches at 18 locations in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh as part of efforts to locate and arrest the absconding accused persons.

On March 29, the NIA had announced rewards of Rs 10 lakh each on the two key fugitives. The agency sought cooperation from all in the apprehension of the absconding accused persons.