NIA arrests key conspirator in B’luru cafe blast following raids
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday said it has made its first arrest in connection with the blast at Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru earlier this month, a significant breakthrough in a case that has prompted the federal agency to look into the possible role of terror outfits such as the Islamic State (IS).
In a statement, NIA said Muzammil Shareef, a key conspirator who extended logistic support to two other identified accused for the low-intensity blast at the popular eatery, was arrested on Wednesday after several teams of the federal agency raided 18 locations across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.
The remaining accused were identified as Mussavir Shahzeeb Hussain and Abdul Mateen Taha. All three accused are from Shivamogga district in Karnataka, officials aware of the matter said.
While NIA did not provide further details in its statement, the officials cited above said the three accused are part of a terror module linked to IS’s Al Hind division that is active in parts of south India. The officials also said that Hussain carried out the explosion.