Alert in Assam over threats of attacks by Pakistan’s ISI, al Qaeda

The circular said Pakistan’s ISI is planning to “target individuals including RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) cadres and army areas in Assam and other places in India”

Published on: Oct 18, 2021, 09:21:28 IST

By Utpal Parashar

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The Assam Police have issued an alert about possible attacks in the state by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and al Qaeda over alleged violence against Muslims. Based on intelligence inputs about such threats, a circular issued on Saturday to the Guwahati police commissioner and all district police heads asked them to remain alert and take “necessary preventive and precautionary measures”. The circular, a copy of which HT has seen, linked the threats to a possible response to the violent eviction drive at Dhalpur in Darrang district last month in which two civilians (both Muslims) were killed and nearly 20 others including 11 policemen were injured.

The police also got intelligence input about a video message reportedly released by terror outfit al Qaeda, indicating a “call for ‘jihad’ specifically in Assam and Kashmir (PTI Photo)

The circular said ISI is planning to “target individuals including RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) cadres and army areas in Assam and other places in India”. It added that global terror outfits could indulge in “spectacular action by resorting to explosion of bombs/IEDs in places of mass gathering/mass transport, religious places etc.”

The circular cited Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s statement on Twitter “condemning systemic persecution and violence ramped up against the Muslim community in Assam claiming lives of Muslims during protests against an eviction drive”.

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The police also received intelligence input about a video message reportedly released by terror outfit al Qaeda indicating a “call for ‘jihad’ specifically in Assam and Kashmir”.

Based on the inputs, Assam Police have asked all districts to gear up ground sources and intelligence collection machinery and remain alert to “thwart any evil design of global terror outfits and fundamental/radical elements”.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More