Bengaluru Cafe Blast Suspects Arrested by WB Police and NIA from Midnapore

Two suspects in the Bengaluru cafe blast that injured nine people in March have been arrested from Purba Midnapore, West Bengal.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Abdul Matheen Taha and Mussavir Hussain Shazib, believed to have planted the explosive device. According to NIA officials, both men were hiding under assumed identities and frequently changed locations to avoid detection.

Joint Operation Leads to Arrests

While details of how the suspects were tracked to their final location remain undisclosed, reports suggest collaboration between the NIA and West Bengal Police played a crucial role in the apprehension. The West Bengal Police refutes fake claims by the BJP that the state has become a ‘safe haven for terrorists’, highlighting their proactive role in the operation.

Falsehood at its worst!

Contrary to the claims made by @amitmalviya, the fact is that, two suspects in the Rameshwaram Cafe blast case have been arrested from Purba Medinipur in a JOINT operation by the West Bengal Police and the Central Intelligence Agencies. (1/2)

— West Bengal Police (@WBPolice) April 12, 2024

Political Tug-of-War Erupts

The arrests have sparked a political debate, with the BJP accusing the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government of lax security measures. The Trinamool Congress countered these accusations, emphasizing the cooperation between state police and the NIA. They further pointed out that the suspects hailed from Karnataka, not West Bengal, and were only hiding in the state temporarily.

Investigation Continues

The NIA is currently investigating the suspects’ links to a suspected ISIS module in Karnataka and their potential involvement in past terror activities. Mussavir and Taha have been remanded to three days’ custody and will be taken to Bengaluru for further investigation.