National Investigation Agency Seeks Information on Wanted Individuals Linked to Rameshwaram Cafe Explosion
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh each for information leading to the apprehension of two suspects associated with the Rameshwaram Cafe blast in Bengaluru, signaling a concerted effort to bring those responsible to justice.
Mussavir Hussain Shazib, also known as Shazeb, and Abdul Matheen Ahmed Taahaa, alias Abdul Matheen Taha, are being sought in connection with the March 1 explosion at Rameshwaram Cafe, which left nine individuals injured. In a public statement, the NIA has urged citizens to come forward with any relevant information regarding the whereabouts of these individuals.
Photographs of Shazib, believed to be the perpetrator who planted the explosive device, have been released by the NIA to aid in identification. According to NIA intelligence, Shazib has utilized multiple aliases while booking accommodations in budget establishments, demonstrating a concerted effort to conceal his identity. The agency described Shazib as a tall individual with a “gym-type body” and straight, black hair, noting his propensity for employing disguises such as fake beards, wigs, and masks.
Meanwhile, Taahaa, identified as the mastermind behind the ISIS Shimoga module and the primary handler in the Mangalore auto blast case, remains at large. Described as a 30-year-old man with a receding hairline often seen wearing a cap, Taahaa is believed to have provided logistical support for the Rameshwaram Cafe attack. Crucially, investigators assert that Shazib wore Taahaa’s baseball cap while placing the explosive device, a piece of evidence crucial to the ongoing investigation.
Both suspects have eluded authorities for three years and are wanted in connection with multiple cases, including the Al-Hind case. The NIA is actively pursuing leads and has apprehended an associate, Muzammil Shareef, whose involvement in the blast is under scrutiny following extensive raids across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh.
