Bengaluru Cafe Blast Case: Indian Authorities Hunt For Suspected Mastermind 'Colonel,' Linked To Pakistan's ISI

Authorities are investigating the suspected involvement of an individual known as "Colonel" in the planning and coordination of recent terrorist activities in Bengaluru as per a report by Hindustan Times.

This individual is believed to have been in contact with Abdul Matheen Taha, the alleged main planner, and Mussavir Hussain Shazib, the alleged bomber, since their association with the IS Al-Hind module in 2019-20.

The "Colonel" is suspected to have played a key role in radicalising several young men in south India, encouraging them to carry out attacks on religious structures, Hindu leaders, and prominent places. Additionally, he is believed to have facilitated the transfer of funds to these individuals through crypto-wallets.

The existence of "Colonel" came to light after the Mangaluru autorickshaw blast in November 2022, with indications pointing to his operation from the Middle East, possibly Abu Dhabi, according to the same report.

There are also suspicions regarding the "Colonel's" potential ties to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency, raising concerns about the revival of terror activities through small IS modules.

Abdul Matheen Taha and Mussavir Hussain Shazib were arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) from a hideout in Kolkata on 12 April in connection with the Rameshwaram Cafe blast on 1 March.

They are currently being interrogated about the "Colonel," his online identities, future terror plans, and other members of the Shivamogga IS module.

Taha and Shazib were previously part of a 20-member Al-Hind module that aimed to establish an IS province in the jungles of South India, according to an NIA charge sheet.

This module, led by Mehboob Pasha and Khaja Moideen, planned to target Hindu religious and political leaders, police officers, government officials, and high-profile individuals all over India.

The investigation is now focused on determining if "Bhai," an online handler mentioned in the case, is the same individual as "Colonel" and if he was associated with Taha and Shazib since their Al-Hind days. Investigators suspect that "Colonel" uses encrypted chat applications to communicate with operatives in India.

Authorities are also examining the "Colonel's" potential involvement with the little-known Islamic Resistance Council, which claimed responsibility for the Mangaluru autorickshaw blast.

However, the Islamic State in Khorasan Province later claimed responsibility for the same attack, leading officials to suspect diversionary tactics by ISI-backed handlers to mislead authorities.