Low-cost hideouts, fake identities: How Bengaluru blast accused evaded cops
The two men who were arrested in West Bengal in connection with the Bengaluru cafe blast managed to elude police by selecting low-cost hideouts, paying in cash, and not panicking, reports said. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Abdul Matheen Ahmed Taahaa and Mussavir Hussain Shazib in West Bengal's Digha on Friday after a 42-day manhunt. Following their arrest, they were transported to Bengaluru for further interrogation.
Tracing the suspects: A cross-state investigation
Now, investigators have managed to piece together a trail of evidence, including CCTV footage that shows the suspects checking into a guest house in Kolkata under false names. The duo frequently changed locations, staying in various small hotels across different states to evade capture. They primarily used cash for transactions, a strategy designed to avoid leaving any traceable records, NDTV reported.
Agencies yet to determine the men's exact itinerary
At the moment, agencies have not yet determined the men's exact itinerary, but they are believed to have visited Chennai, Odisha, and West Bengal. "Nothing was planned after the blast. They decided everything on the spot and kept moving to avoid being apprehended. Their longest stay was at a Digha lodge, which was a possible mistake." "They used all identities, including Maharashtra domicile, Jharkhand, Karnataka, and Tripura, " sources told News18.
Taahaa suspected to be one of ISIS' 'high value assets'
Meanwhile, India Today reported that Taahaa is believed to be one of the Islamic State terrorist group's "high-value assets" in India. He had been wanted by the NIA for five years. Taha has also been linked to the November 2022 IS-sponsored pressure cooker bomb bombing in Mangaluru, the 2022 Shivamogga trial blasts, and the Al Hind module case from 2020.
Arrest and charges: The Bengaluru cafe blast case
The suspects were arrested by the NIA on Friday for their alleged involvement in the blast at Rameswaram Cafe on ITPL Road, Brookefield, Bengaluru. The incident occurred on March 1 and resulted in injuries to 10 individuals. According to officials, "Shazib is believed to have placed the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at the cafe, while Taahaa is suspected to be the mastermind behind the attack."
Transit remand granted for further investigation
On Friday afternoon, a metropolitan court in Kolkata gave the NIA a three-day transit remand of the two prime suspects. The two suspects in the Bengaluru cafe blast case underwent medical tests at a state-run hospital before appearing in the metropolitan court. They were transferred to Bankshall court for transit remand, according to an NIA lawyer. Following their arrest, a court in Kolkata granted a 3-day transit remand for the accused.
