Bengaluru Cafe Bombers Were ISIS Radicals, NIA Reveals Plot to Target BJP Office on Ram Mandir Inauguration

The Bengaluru Rameshwaram Cafe bombing, which shook the city in March 2024, was orchestrated by two ISIS-linked radicals, according to a detailed chargesheet filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The explosion left nine people injured and caused significant damage to the cafe, but the NIA's investigation has unveiled a deeper and more disturbing conspiracy.

The key figures involved, Mussavir Hussain Shazib and Abdul Matheen Ahmed Taaha, both hailing from Karnataka's Shivamogga district, were dedicated ISIS operatives. According to the NIA, these men were not just involved in the bombing, but had previously plotted to flee to ISIS-held territories in Syria, a move known as "Hijrah," where they intended to join the terror organization. Their journey into radicalism began years earlier when they became involved with the now-busted Al-Hind ISIS module in India.

Shazib and Taaha were on the run for nearly three years, successfully evading law enforcement after the Al-Hind module was dismantled in 2020. However, their fugitive status ended when they were arrested in West Bengal, 42 days after the Rameshwaram Cafe attack. Shazib, as the investigation revealed, was the one who planted the improvised explosive device (IED) in the cafe.

The NIA's investigation pointed out that these radicals were not working in isolation. They were deeply embedded in a network of operatives and sympathizers. Among their close associates were two other accused: Maaz Muneer Ahmed and Muzammil Shareef. These men were similarly indoctrinated into ISIS’s ideology and played significant roles in aiding the conspiracy. All four have been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Explosive Substances Act, and the Prevention of Destruction and Loss of Property (PDLP) Act.

What makes this case more alarming is the NIA’s revelation that the Rameshwaram Cafe bombing was not their first attempt at orchestrating an attack. Earlier in January 2024, the group had plotted to bomb the BJP state office in Malleshwaram, Bengaluru, on a highly symbolic day — the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. However, that attack was unsuccessful, leading them to carry out the cafe blast as a backup plan.

In a sophisticated twist, the NIA also discovered that Shazib and Taaha were receiving funds through cryptocurrencies. Their handler, who is still being investigated, sent them funds via crypto channels, which were then converted into regular currency using peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms on Telegram. This financial support enabled them to continue their operations and maintain their hideouts while plotting further attacks.

The radicals had also acquired fake Indian SIM cards and bank accounts, which they used to carry out their activities discreetly. Some of these fraudulent identities were sourced from the dark web, showcasing the sophisticated methods used by the group to stay under the radar. Additionally, Taaha's ties to prominent terror operatives deepened their involvement in the global jihadist network. He was introduced to Mohammed Shaheed Faisal, an absconder in the Lashkar-e-Taiba Bengaluru conspiracy case, and through him, connected with leaders of the ISIS South India wing.

As the NIA’s investigation continues, it is clear that this group of radicals posed a serious threat not only to Bengaluru but to India’s broader national security. Their connections to international terror networks, the use of cryptocurrencies, and the coordinated nature of their plots underscore the evolving threat of terrorism in the digital age.

This case stands as a stark reminder of the persistent threat of radicalization, especially among vulnerable youth. The NIA has highlighted the importance of disrupting these terror cells early, as the potential for destruction grows more severe with each passing day.