NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe has revealed that a fresh module of Lashkar-e-Taiba could be behind the Bengaluru Cafe Bomb Blast Case in Karnataka. The NIA is conducting raids at seventeen locations in seven states in connection with the blast. The raids started this morning and are ongoing.
“Our probe so far has revealed that a LeT terrorist named Nazir, lodged in Bangalore Central prison was radicalizing prisoners to carry out violent activities. This constitutes a fresh module of LeT.
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Some members of this module are believed to be hiding in Tamil Nadu and other states. We are also investigating it as a case of prisoner radicalization with connections to the cafe blast,” said a source.
Yesterday, NIA officials submitted an FIR copy to a special court. Another FIR copy was submitted to Karnataka DG Alok Mohan. Following instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the NIA submitted these copies.
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At least ten persons were injured in the blast that occurred on March 1. It was caused by an IED explosion. CCTV footage of the blast suggests that a man wearing a cap could be a suspect. He was seen entering the cafe and fleeing.
Subsequent CCTV footage shows him walking on the roads and getting out of a car. Initially, the Karnataka Police filed the FIR and commenced the investigation. However, as the terror angle emerged, the matter was transferred to the NIA. No one has been arrested in connection with the blast so far. However, with the NIA taking over the probe, early arrests are anticipated.