Three days following a widespread crackdown spanning four states in the Rameshwaram Cafe Blast Case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) made another significant arrest on Friday. The latest detainee, identified as Shoaib Ahmed Mirza @ Chhotu, is an ex-convict in a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror conspiracy case.
Shoaib Ahmed Mirza, aged 35 and hailing from Hubbali City, Karnataka, becomes the fifth individual apprehended in connection with the case (RC-01/2024/NIA/BLR). NIA’s investigations revealed that Mirza, previously convicted in an LeT conspiracy case in Bengaluru, became involved in the recent conspiracy upon his release from prison. In 2018, he purportedly facilitated the introduction of accused Abdul Matheen Taha to an online handler suspected to be located abroad. Mirza also allegedly provided an encrypted email ID for communication between the handler and Abdul Matheen Taha, who was apprehended on April 12 from Kolkata (West Bengal) along with co-accused Mussavir Hussain Shazib.
Since the Rameshwaram Café Blast on March 1, 2024, which resulted in injuries and extensive property damage, NIA has conducted thorough searches at 29 locations across India as part of its investigation. The agency continues to delve into the role of the handler and the broader conspiracy behind the blast.
The arrest of Shoaib Ahmed Mirza signifies a significant development in the ongoing probe, shedding light on potential links to previous terror activities and bringing investigators closer to unraveling the complexities of the Rameshwaram Cafe Blast case.