In a significant breakthrough, investigators in Bengaluru have potentially identified the perpetrator behind the low-intensity blast at Rameshwaram Cafe on March 1. The key clue leading to this breakthrough is a limited edition baseball cap worn by the suspect during the incident.
Clue from CCTV Footage
The suspect, captured on CCTV footage wearing the distinctive white cap on the day of the blast, has drawn the attention of both the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Central Crime Branch (CCB) of Bengaluru police. The blast resulted in injuries to as many as 10 individuals.
Discovery of Cap
Authorities discovered the abandoned cap approximately three kilometers from the cafe, along with a changed shirt believed to belong to the suspect. Investigations revealed that the cap, featuring the number 10, was sold by a retail store in a Chennai mall.
Limited Edition Clue
Further examination of the cap revealed it to be part of a limited edition series from a popular youth brand. With the serial number tracing it back to the point of sale, police officials disclosed that only 400 such caps were sold in India by the brand.
Analysis of CCTV Footage
Investigators meticulously analyzed CCTV footage from the store, identifying two individuals purchasing the cap and other items in January. Comparison of images from the footage with those from a public bus in Bengaluru, where the suspect was seen without a mask, provided crucial insights into the suspect’s identity.
Potential Suspect and Reward
The identified individual is speculated to be a missing suspect associated with the Islamic State’s Shivamogga module, Musavir Hussain Shazib. The NIA has reportedly offered a reward of ₹5 lakh for Shazib’s arrest, with investigative agencies tracking him since January 2020.
This development marks a significant advancement in the ongoing investigation, bringing authorities closer to apprehending the perpetrator behind the Rameshwaram Cafe blast.
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