Rameshwaram Cafe blast: Chennai link found with suspect who used ’fake credentials’

www.mangaloretoday.com

Bengaluru, March 24, 2024: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) probing the Rameshwaram Cafe blast case has made further progress, with investigators suspecting the bomber to be Mussavir Hussain Shazib, a handler from the Islamic State’s Shivamogga module, after tracing the cap worn by him to a shop in Chennai.

Shazib was allegedly assisted by Abdul Matheen Ahmed Taahaa, also from the same module. Both have been at large since 2020.

The Central Crime Branch (CCB) of the Bengaluru police, which was probing the case, first suspected the involvement of the duo even before the investigation was taken over by the NIA.

“Since the very beginning, our investigators suspected the involvement of Shazib and Taahaa” a highly placed source in the Karnataka police told DH. “The conclusion was based on investigators’ leads and from detailed technical analyses. After the case was handed over, the NIA further developed it and, in all probability, suspects their involvement.”

As per the NIA, Shazib hails from Masjid Road in Theerthahalli, Shivamogga district, and Taahaa from Fish Market Road, Soppu Gude, Theerthahalli Rural. Both "wanted" suspects have been termed "absconders" by the NIA.

As many as 10 people were injured following an IED blast at the popular Rameshwaram Cafe in the Brookefield area on March 1. After initial investigations by the CCB, the NIA took over the probe.

Shazib and Taahaa had stayed at a lodge in Triplicane, a haven for bachelors in Chennai, from January-end to February 29. “Shazib booked the room using a fake Aadhaar identity card and driving licence,” a second police source told media. The source said the names of the suspects were identified after they traced the cap worn by Shazib to a shop in a mall in Chennai. The cap, which was abandoned, was bought by Taahaa, around January-end. The Tamil Nadu police stepped into the probe after the NIA requested their assistance. The source added that Shazib checked out of his room on February 29 and travelled to Bengaluru by road.