Bengaluru: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday detained a person identified as Shabbir for questioning in connection with the Rameshwaram Cafe blast case in Bengaluru.
Shabbir, hailing from the Cowl Bazaar area in Ballari, was apprehended based on his recent travel history, as the agency suspects he may have pertinent information about the blast.
On March 1, a person entered The Rameshwaram Cafe, placed a bag containing IED with a timer set for an hour, and left. The blast led to the injury of nine persons. The NIA has announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for any information leading to the apprehension of the suspect depicted in the CCTV footage.
In a joint effort, last week, both the NIA and the Central Crime Branch detained a cloth merchant from Kaul Bazaar in Ballari and a member of the banned organization Popular Front of India (PFI). Investigators believe that one of these detainees, an active PFI member, might have been involved in orchestrating the blast.
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It’s believed that the detained PFI cadre had significant influence, possibly brainwashing individuals, including the perpetrator responsible for planting the explosive device.
Previously, the NIA had released images of a prime suspect in the blast case, seeking assistance from the public in identifying the individual associated with the explosion at Rameshwaram Cafe. The agency emphasized citizen cooperation and confidentiality in providing any relevant information.
The main suspect, captured in CCTV footage, was seen without a cap and mask on a bus, and prior to that, wearing a baseball cap, which was later discovered near a mosque by investigators.
The Rameshwaram Cafe resumed its operations eight days after the blast, with owner Raghavendra Rao assuring the public of stringent security measures in place. He also said they are in the process of hiring ex-Army personnel to look after the overall security.
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