Bengaluru – Two key suspects in the March 1st bombing of the Rameshwaram Cafe were arrested in West Bengal and brought to Bengaluru late last evening. Adbul Matheen Ahmed Taahaa and Mussavir Hussain Shazib, apprehended by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), will be presented before a Bengaluru court tomorrow.
The arrests followed extensive searches by authorities across multiple states. Shazeb and Taahaa were ultimately located in Kanthi, a small city near Kolkata, where they had been hiding in a lodge. The NIA obtained a three-day transit remand in a Kolkata court, allowing them to transport the suspects to Bengaluru.
Officials allege that Taahaa masterminded the attack, while Shazib is accused of planting the explosive device. Both men had evaded capture since the blast, which injured 10 people at the popular cafe.
"Abdul Matheen's careful planning allowed the suspects to remain at large for weeks. The duo, along with Maaz Muneer Ahmed, have been previously connected to terror-related cases," the NIA stated.
The NIA began investigating the blast on March 3rd, offering a significant reward for information leading to the suspects' arrests. Despite extensive damage, the Rameshwaram Cafe reopened eight days later, implementing increased security measures like metal detectors.
"We've reinforced our security and plan to train our guards with assistance from a panel of ex-servicemen," stated cafe co-founder Raghavendra Rao.
