The National Investigative Agency (NIA) on Saturday released fresh pictures of the Bengaluru blast suspect and called upon citizens to aid in identifying the individual possibly linked with the explosion at Rameswaram cafe.

“NIA seeks citizen cooperation in identifying the suspect linked to the Rameswaram Cafe Blast Case. Call 08029510900, 8904241100 or email info.blr.nia@gov.in with any information. Your identity will remain confidential,” NIA said in a post on X, along with a picture of a suspect wearing a pink T-shirt and blue jeans.

Earlier, the Bengaluru cafe blast suspect was seen traveling in a bus without a cap and mask. Before that, the suspect was seen wearing a baseball cap, which was later discovered by the NIA near a nearby mosque. It appeared that the suspect changed attire after the blast. A week after an explosion rocked The Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru’s Whitefield area, injuring ten people, the popular eatery was reopened on Friday.

Though café was reopened at 6 pm today it was thrown open to the public from Saturday onwards. According to the administration, metal detectors have been installed at the entrance of the eatery to screen customers. Staff will screen every customer with handheld detectors before allowing entry. There would be strict vigilance on all customers and staff will look out for any suspicious activity.

Raghavendra Rao, co-founder and CEO of The Rameshwaram Café told PTI videos, “Whatever incident happened…it should have not happened…This is a lesson for us to be strong. In fact, no matter what, no one can stop us.

“They wanted to teach us a lesson but we will teach them a lesson. With blessings of Lord Shiva, we have reopened our cafe on occasion of Mahashivratri. We will be reopening the outlet for customers tomorrow with a national anthem.”

Pujas were held this morning at the eatery, which was adorned with flowers and festive decorations to mark the reopening. Police oversaw security arrangements throughout the day. In the blast that occurred on March 1, both staff and customers at the cafe sustained injuries but they are all recovering.

After the incident, the cafe was cordoned off as part of the investigation by the city police. Meanwhile, a cloth merchant from Kaul Bazaar in Ballari and a PFI cadre have been detained by the National Investigation Agency and Central Crime Branch in their joint investigation of the March 1 blast.

(With agency inputs)