The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has apprehended a fifth suspect, 35-year-old Shoaib Ahmed Mirza alias Chhotu, in relation to the Rameshwaram Cafe blast in Bengaluru. Mirza, a former convict in a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror conspiracy case, is believed to have orchestrated this plot after his release from prison. According to the NIA, Mirza befriended and introduced the accused to a handler based abroad in 2018. He also allegedly provided an encrypted email address for communication between the handler and Abdul Matheen Taahaa, who was detained on April 12 in Kolkata along with other suspects.
The initial low-intensity blast at the popular cafe injured approximately 10 individuals. The latest arrest comes after a massive crackdown spanning four states, involving coordinated searches of 11 locations linked to suspects in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. The NIA revealed that the 11 suspects targeted in the searches include individuals convicted in the 2012 LeT conspiracy cases in Bengaluru and Hubli Districts. The searches yielded various digital devices and documents, which the NIA is thoroughly examining.
This development underscores the ongoing efforts of the NIA to combat terrorism and bring perpetrators to justice. The seized evidence is expected to provide valuable insights into the network and activities of those involved in the Bengaluru cafe blast.
