Bengaluru cafe blast probe handed over to NIA: sources

New Delhi: The Union home ministry on Monday handed over the probe into the twin blasts at a cafe in Bengaluru to the National Investigation Agency, which has begun its work, official sources said here. The NIA has re-registered a case and has started its investigations.

At least nine people were injured when two blasts in quick succession took place at Rameshwaram Cafe in Brookfield in East Bengaluru on March 1. Both staff and customers at the cafe sustained injuries but they are all recovering, the Bengluru police chief has said.

This development comes a day after Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah said his government might consider handing over the probe to the NIA if the need arises. So far, the police probe into the blasts has been assisted by officials of the NIA, National Security Guard and the Intelligence Bureau.

A man wearing a cap, mask and glasses is the prime suspect in the case and is still untraceable, the sources said. The twin blasts are suspected to have been carried out through an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

Soon after the blasts, the Karnataka police registered a case under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Explosives Substances Act.

The NIA is a specialised agency to investigate terror-related cases. It was set up in 2008 after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.