NIA arrests 'key conspirator' of Rameshwaram Cafe blast

The National Investigative Agency on March 28 said it arrested a key conspirator of the Rameshwaram Cafe blast.

The accused identified as Muzammil Shareef allegedly has been placed in custody as a co-conspirator after NIA teams cracked down at 18 locations, including 12 in Karnataka, 5 in Tamil Nadu and one in Uttar Pradesh.

According to the NIA probe, Shareef had extended logistic support to the other two identified accused in the case who are yet to be arrested in the case.

The agency also said that it seized various digital devices along with cash during the searches.

NIA had earlier identified two suspects as Mussavir Hussain Shazib, who allegedly carried out the blast and Abdul Matheen Taha.

NIA had also announced a cash reward of Rs. 10 lakh for any information regarding the bomber responsible for the Rameshwaram Cafe blast in Bengaluru. The NIA said the identity of the informant will be kept confidential.

An improvised explosive device ripped through the poplar eatery located at ITPL Road, Brookefield, Bengaluru, on March 1.

Several customers and hotel staff members were injured, some of them grievously, in the blast, which caused extensive damage to the property.

Efforts are on to nab the absconding accused and unearth the larger conspiracy behind the blast, the NIA said.

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