Bengaluru café blast: Probe handed over to NIA; suspect ordered 'rava idli'

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been handed over the investigation into the explosion at Bengaluru’s Rameshwaram Café even as new details have emerged in the case.

The explosion is suspected to be carried out through an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

Suspect came at lunch time, ordered rava idli

CCTV footage shows the suspect wearing a cap and with his face covered with a white handkerchief getting down from the bus near the café during lunch time.

The suspect is said to be between 28 to 30 years old. Police after speaking with eye witnesses found that the suspect bought a coupon for rava idli but left without having it, while leaving a bag with an IED behind.

Multiple agencies are trying to ascertain the identity of the suspect.

Links with Mangaluru cooker bomb blast

Investigating officers are also trying to find out if the blast had a connection with the cooker blast in Mangaluru on November 19, 2022.

“The way the battery and timer have been used seems similar. We have to take it (investigation) forward. We don’t know whether the same organisation did it or the same people did it,” Karnataka Home Minister Dr G Paramashwara was quoted as saying.

Indian Express quoting people familiar with the technical aspects of the 2022 blast – where an IED had accidentally exploded while being carried by Mohammed Shariq, a 24-year-old BCom student – said the detonation system used in the IED at the Rameshwaram Café including the timer and shrapnel like bolts were similar.

According to reports, authorities have also begun a lookout for missing accused in previous terror cases including Abdul Matheen Taha, Mudasir Husain and a handler called ‘Colonel’ who are believed to be abroad.

At least 10 people were injured in the blast that took place at Rameshwaram Cafe in Brookfield in East Bengaluru on March 1.

The NIA was handed over the probe after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said his government may consider handing over the probe to the investigating agency if the need arises.

So far, Karnataka Police's investigation of the blast has been assisted by officials of the NIA, National Security Group (NSG) and Intelligence Bureau (IB).

Soon after the blast, the Karnataka Police registered a case under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Explosives Substances Act.

The NIA is a specialised probe agency to investigate terror related cases. The agency was created in 2008 following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.