The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two suspects from West Bengal in the blast case of a popular eatery in Karnataka's Bengaluru— The Rameshwaram Cafe.
The two suspects — Abdul Matheen Ahmed Taaha and Mussavir Hussain Shazib — were absconding and were located by a team of the NIA from their hideout near Kolkata.
Shazeb is, reportedly, the accused who placed the explosives in the cafe and Taaha is the one who was behind the entire planning— execution of blast and how to escape the long arm of the law.
A week ago, it was, reported by the probing agency that Shazib is the key accused who led to the blast and Taha is the co-conspirator.
It has been learnt that both are the residents of Thirthahalli in Shivamogga district of Karnataka.
Chikkamagaluru, who extended logistics support to the main accused persons, was arrested on March 26 and was examined in police custody, a source claimed.
As part of the investigation to locate and arrest the absconding accused persons, the NIA has conducted searches at 18 locations in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh, an NIA spokesperson said.
Rameshwaram Cafe is a known eatery located at ITPL Road, Brookefield and the blast took place on March 1.
The probe agency had also declared rewards of Rs 10 lakh on information leading to the arrest of each of the absconders on March 29.
The NIA has been summoning and examining all acquaintances, including college and school friends, of the absconding and arrested accused persons to gather evidence and information in the case, the spokesperson said.
The NIA sought the cooperation of all for the arrest of the absconding accused persons, the spokesperson said.
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