WATCH | NIA Releases Two Videos Of Bangalore Rameshwaram Cafe Blast Suspect, Seeks Tip

Two videos of the man suspected to have planted a bomb in Rameshwaram cafe on March 1, which injured nine persons, were released by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Cooperation of citizens is sought to identify him, on Friday.

The videos, posted on NIA's official handle, show the suspect travelling in a bus and moving around at a pillared structure.

NIA Releases Video of Bangalore Cafe Blast Suspect

It is evident from the videos that a change of clothes was made by the suspect, swapping the shirt he wore in the last photograph released by NIA, for a T-shirt. His baseball cap is no longer visible in one of the videos, though his backpack, jeans, and shoes remain intact.

Citizen cooperation in identifying the suspect is sought by NIA, stating to call 08029510900, 8904241100, or email to [email protected] with any information, while adding that the identity of the informer shall be kept confidential. No informer has so far come forward to share the identity of the suspect, according to sources familiar with the investigation.

An officer mentioned that the route of the suspect, as traced from CCTV footage - Tumakuru, Ballari, and Bhatkal - runs along the belt with a history of Islamic radicalisation and the origin of terror conspiracies. In Dec 2023, an IS-inspired module in Ballari was busted by NIA and eight persons, including module head Minaz alias Md. Sulaiman was arrested.

Plans by the arrested accused to carry out terror acts, especially IED blasts, were claimed to have been foiled by NIA at that time, based on seizures of explosive raw materials in the raids. Sources informed TOI on Friday that possible links of the bomber with the IS Ballari module are being investigated by NIA and Sulaiman, who is in prison, is set to be questioned in this regard.