Rameshwaram Cafe Blast: NIA Detains Alleged Accomplice, Continues Interrogation

The National Investigation Agency on Wednesday has reportedly detained a prime suspect in the Bengaluru Rameshwaram Cafe blast case. The individual, identified as Shabbir, was apprehended in the Bellary district of Karnataka. The authorities are currently interrogating the suspect.

According to the police, the man identified as Shabir is suspected to have acted as an accomplice to the main suspect, who was captured on security camera footage leaving a bag at the cafe on the day of the explosion.

The NIA took over the Rameshwaram Café blast case on March 3, following an inspection by an NIA team at the blast site. The blast occurred on March 1 in the Whitefield area of Bengaluru during the lunch hour that injured at least 10 people.

The explosion was caused by an IED activated with a timer, prompted the police to release CCTV footage of the main suspect, thought to be approximately 30 years old. In one clip, the suspect is seen carrying a plate of idli into the café with a shoulder bag believed to contain the explosive. Analysis of additional footage showed the suspect changing attire multiple times post-blast. The NIA offered a Rs 10 lakh reward for information leading to the suspect's arrest.

The Rameshwaram Cafe reopened on March 8 amidst heightened security protocols. Metal detectors have been set up at the entrance, and customers will now have to undergo screening with handheld detectors.