Assam: STF Nabs Eight Al-Qaeda Linked Militants In Major Terror Bust

GUWAHATI: The Special Task Force (STF) of the Assam Police has busted a major terror network in an operation code-named Praghat, targeting fundamentalist activities of the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), an affiliate of Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent.

The eight arrested individuals includes one Bangladeshi national who exposed a well-planned design to vitiate national security. The operation was led by Assam STF chief Partha Sarathi Mahanta.

It was launched after reliable inputs indicating the hidden operations of a group led by Md. Farhan Israk, an associate of ABT Chief Jasimuddin Rahmani. Investigation has revealed that Md. Sad Radi, a citizen of Bangladesh, had come to India in November 2024 with an intention to spread the ideologies of extremism and make sleeper cells in the country. He had gone to Assam and West Bengal and got caught in Kerala.

Simultaneous raids have been conducted across Kerala, West Bengal, and Assam. The process has ensured the arrest of key suspects. In line with that, authorities managed to confiscate incriminating materials such as mobile phones with encrypted communications, literature of jihad, Bangladeshi identity documents, and even digital storage devices containing information.

Among those apprehended are Md. Sad Radi alias Shab Seikh, a Bangladeshi national arrested in Kerala; Minarul Sheikh and Md. Abbas Ali, both hailing from Murshidabad, West Bengal; and Nur Islam Mandal, Abdul Karim Mandal, Mojibar Rahman, Hamidul Islam, and Enamul Hoque, all arrested from various locations in Assam.

Evidence shows that the terror module was aimed at converting people, establishing sleeper cells, and planning violent acts against peace and security. The module had meetings in West Bengal to plot against members of Hindu organizations to provoke communal tensions.

As investigations have revealed that those caught have been in direct touch with Bangladesh and Pakistan-based handlers for the planning, procurement of weapons, and expansion of radius. Cases have been filed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Passport Act to allow further probing.

Operation Praghat signifies that Assam Police is ready to deal with transnational terror networks and secure the country. More investigation will be carried out to unravel other connections and prevent possible threats.

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