The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made significant progress in the investigation of the Rameshwaram Cafe blast case in Bengaluru. According to sources within the agency, after examining over 1,000 CCTV cameras in the vicinity, the suspect has been identified as Mussavir Hussain Shazib.
Shazib, a native of Shivamogga in Karnataka’s Thirthahalli district, was pinpointed by the NIA after they traced a distinctive cap worn by him in various CCTV videos. The cap, purchased from a Chennai mall, suggests Shazib’s presence in Chennai for over a month since January this year.
Additionally, the NIA has identified one of Shazib’s accomplices as Abdul Mateen Taha, also from Thirthahalli. Taha, wanted for the murder of Tamil Nadu police inspector K Wilson, was allegedly part of an ISIS module in Shivamogga. CCTV footage captured Taha conducting reconnaissance of the cafe a day before the blast.
The breakthrough in identifying Shazib came through the distinct cap he wore, purchased from Triplicane in Chennai, which was also seen in the blast footage. The NIA discovered that only 400 pieces of this limited-edition cap were sold. Forensic analysis of hair found in the cap matched DNA samples from Shazib’s parents, confirming his identity.
The NIA is now investigating Shazib’s potential travel from Chennai to plant the explosive device at the Bengaluru cafe. The suspect was last spotted in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh.
The low-intensity blast at the popular cafe on March 1 left ten people injured. The explosive device, triggered by a timer, raised concerns about security in the area.
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