The investigation revealed that the two men were funded by an ISIS handler through cryptocurrencies
Security has been ramped up at the BJP state office in Bengaluru following the revelations in a National Investigation Agency (NIA) chargesheet against four men involved in the Rameshwaram Cafe blast. The incident, which occurred on March 1, left nine people injured and caused significant damage to the popular Brookfield cafe.
The NIA chargesheet, filed on September 9, disclosed that the accused were also involved in a “failed IED attack” on the BJP office in Malleshwaram. This incident was attempted on January 22, the day of the consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
A senior police officer stated, “After details of the chargesheet in the cafe case were revealed, we have enhanced the security measures in and around the BJP office premises.” He explained that while police presence in civil clothes and a 25-member team from the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) had been part of routine security, the deployment has now been strengthened. Entry and exit points are under strict watch, and additional security measures are in place to ensure heightened vigilance.
In addition, the police have urged BJP leaders to install metal detectors and door scanners, and to ensure all areas are monitored with CCTV cameras for enhanced surveillance.
The NIA chargesheet identified four individuals: Mussavir Hussain Shazib, Abdul Matheen Ahmed Taaha, Maaz Muneer Ahmed, and Muzammil Shareef. All of them were arrested earlier and remain in judicial custody. According to the NIA, two of the key accused, Shazib and Taaha, are linked to the banned terrorist organization ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria). They allegedly used fake Indian SIM cards, bank accounts, and identity documents obtained from the dark web to carry out their activities.
The investigation revealed that the two men were funded by an ISIS handler through cryptocurrencies. Taaha converted the digital currencies to cash using peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms on Telegram. The funds were reportedly used to plan violent acts in Bengaluru, including the failed IED attack at the BJP office and later, the Rameshwaram Cafe blast.
“The funds were used by the accused to perpetrate various acts of violence in Bengaluru,” the NIA stated. The agency also noted that the two men were closely involved in the planning and execution of the cafe blast after their earlier attack attempt failed.
The case remains under investigation as authorities continue to scrutinize the network behind these activities, and the security presence around key locations like the BJP office has been significantly bolstered.
