Bengaluru Restaurant Blast: CCTV Captures Suspect, IED Similar to Mangaluru Incident

Bengaluru, Karnataka - A blast at the popular Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru on Friday injured nine people. Police are investigating the incident as a terror attack.

Key Points:

• CCTV footage shows a masked man wearing a cap as a suspect.
• The blast originated from a tiffin box containing a low-intensity IED.
• The device used a filament detonator similar to one involved in a 2022 Mangaluru blast.
• The NIA is likely to take over the investigation.

Investigation Underway:

Police are searching for the suspect captured on CCTV cameras. They suspect the blast was caused by a low-intensity IED placed in a tiffin box near the restaurant's washroom.

Similarities to Mangaluru Blast:

Preliminary investigation suggests the Bengaluru IED used a filament detonator, similar to the one used in the Mangaluru auto-rickshaw blast in November 2022. The Mangaluru case involved a suspected Islamic State (IS) operative who was arrested.

NIA Involvement Expected:

The Bengaluru blast has been registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, suggesting a possible terror motive. NIA officers are likely to take over the investigation.

Previous Mangaluru Case:

The 2022 Mangaluru blast accused, Mohammed Shariq, was believed to have built the IED using easily available materials and online instructions. The main explosive material was identified as gunpowder.

Search for the Culprit Continues:

The Bengaluru police are continuing their investigation to identify and apprehend the person responsible for the blast. The NIA's involvement is expected to expedite the probe.