In a significant breakthrough, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has successfully apprehended the mastermind and the perpetrator behind the heinous blast at Bengaluru’s Rameshwaram Cafe, which left at least 10 people injured on March 1. Abdul Matheen Taha and Mussavir Hussain Shazib, the prime accused, were traced to their hideout near Kolkata, where they had been living under false identities for nearly three weeks.
The NIA, in collaboration with the West Bengal police, executed a meticulously planned operation leading to the capture of the fugitives. Taha, identified as the mastermind orchestrating the blast, and Shazib, who planted the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at the cafe, were both found hiding in small hotels, using aliases to evade authorities.
Taha’s involvement with the Bengaluru Module of ISIS-Al Hind came to light during the investigation, underscoring the international ramifications of the incident. Sources revealed that the accused were not only evading law enforcement but also receiving instructions from a foreign handler, hinting at a larger sleeper cell network across several states, including Karnataka.
The arrest marks the culmination of an extensive manhunt conducted by multiple agencies. The NIA, aided by central intelligence agencies and police forces from Telangana, Karnataka, and Kerala, meticulously sifted through over 300 CCTV clips to track down the suspects. The agency also enlisted the help of eyewitnesses, who confirmed the presence of Taha and Shazib at the crime scene.
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Further revelations shed light on the sophisticated methods employed by the accused to fund and execute the attack. Taha, an IT graduate, utilized cryptocurrency to finance the operation, employing stolen identities and forged documents to transfer funds and arrange logistics through associates like Muzammil Shareef.
The intricate escape route undertaken by the accused highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement in tracing and apprehending terrorists. Shazib’s journey from Bengaluru to Kolkata via multiple states underscores the need for enhanced coordination and intelligence sharing among agencies to combat such threats effectively.
NIA’s probe
The swift action taken by the NIA and the West Bengal police underscores their commitment to thwarting terrorism and ensuring the safety of citizens. The apprehension of Taha and Shazib sends a strong message to perpetrators of such heinous acts that justice will prevail, and those responsible will be brought to book.
