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Bengaluru Rameshwaram Cafe blast: NIA yet to detain any suspect, denies reports
NIA has denied media reports that claimed that the probe agency has detained a suspect in the Bengaluru Rameshwaram Cafe IED blast case.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has denied media reports that claimed that the probe agency has detained a suspect in the Bengaluru Rameshwaram Cafe IED blast case. Earlier, some TV reports and news agencies, citing sources, claimed that the NIA, which is probing the Rameshwaram Cafe blast case, detained a man from Ballari district in Karnataka. The man is said to have "some resemblance" with the prime suspect, news agency PTI, citing the unnamed sources, reported.
Another news agency ANI, which also cited NIA sources, reported that the suspect, identified as Shabbir, was taken into custody from Bellary district. “He is still being questioned in the case. It is yet to be ascertained whether he is the same man caught on CCTV camera,” it quoted the sources as saying.
The development comes two days after Karnataka home minister G Parameshwara said sleuths investigating into the March 1 blast at the popular eatery have "in a way" identified the suspect, and efforts are on to nab him. He said the investigators are verifying the suspect's identity and are “getting closer to him”. Investigation into the blast, caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), at the quick-service eatery in Brookefield area in the information technology corridor in east Bengaluru that left 10 people injured, is being carried by the NIA, which is being assisted by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) of the Bengaluru Police.
The case was handed over to the NIA on March 3, following the visit of an NIA team at the blast site.
The NIA has announced a bounty of ₹10 lakh for information about the bomber in connection with the blast at Bengaluru's Rameshwaram cafe. The agency also asserted that the confidentiality of the informants' identities will be maintained.
The agency also released a picture of the suspected bomber, captured from the CCTV camera footage while keeping a bag in the Rameshwaram Cafe.
In the picture released by the NIA, the bomber is seen wearing a cap, black pants, and black shoes.
"NIA announces a cash reward of 10 lakh rupees for information about the bomber in Rameshwaram Cafe blast case of Bengaluru. Informants' identity will be kept confidential," the NIA said in a post on 'X'.
In the post, the NIA also stressed that "any information leading to his (bomber) arrest shall be rewarded."
The blast took place at 1pm on March 1 and the police also found a suspect in the CCTV camera footage, keeping a bag inside the cafe. The police probe so far has indicated that an IED device with a timer was used to carry out the explosion.
