The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has reportedly taken a key suspect into custody in connection with the Bengaluru Rameshwaram Cafe IED blast. According to NIA sources cited by news agency ANI, the detained individual, identified as Shabbir, was apprehended in Bellary district, Karnataka. The suspect is currently under interrogation, and authorities are determining if he matches the person captured on CCTV.
This development follows statements by Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara, who mentioned that investigators had “in a way” identified the suspect two days ago. Efforts were underway to apprehend the individual, and ongoing verification of the suspect’s identity was mentioned. The blast, caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on March 1 at the popular Brookefield eatery, resulted in 10 injuries. The NIA, assisted by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) of the Bengaluru Police, is leading the investigation.
The NIA took over the case on March 3 after a team visited the blast site. As part of the ongoing investigation, the NIA announced a ₹10 lakh reward for information about the bomber involved in the Rameshwaram Cafe blast. The agency assured the confidentiality of informants’ identities.
Accompanying the announcement, the NIA released a picture of the bomber captured from CCTV footage, showing the individual wearing a cap, black pants, and black shoes. The agency emphasized the importance of public cooperation in solving the case.
“NIA announces a cash reward of 10 lakh rupees for information about the bomber in Rameshwaram Cafe blast case of Bengaluru. Informants’ identity will be kept confidential,” stated the the agency in a post on ‘X’. The release of the bomber’s image is a strategic move by the NIA to elicit information from the public and expedite the resolution of this critical investigation.
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