Bangladesh national, 4 others held in Assam for links to Al-Qaida affiliated jihadi outfit

The Bangladeshi national had entered India illegally and was working as a teacher in a mosque. He had indoctrinated four others to set up a module for jihadi work in Barpeta.

Published on: Mar 5, 2022, 19:49:31 IST

By Utpal Parashar

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The special branch of the Assam Police has arrested five people including a Bangladesh national for their alleged links with an outfit in the neighbouring country having affiliation to Al-Qaida.

Bangladesh national Saiful Islam who was arrested in Assam for his alleged links with an outfit in the neighbouring country having affiliation to Al-Qaida. (PHOTO: ASSAM POLICE.)

According to the police, all five people were arrested on Friday from Barpeta, Howly and Kalgachia for their alleged links with a ‘jihadi’ (Islamic terror organisation) outfit based out of Bangladesh and having affiliation to Al-Qaida in Indian sub-continent (AQIS).

The arrested persons are Saiful Islam (having aliases Mohammed Suman and Harun Rashid), Khairul Islam, Badshah Suleiman Khan, Noushad Ali and Taimur Rahman Khan

“During preliminary inquiry conducted so far, it has been found that Saiful Islam alias Harun Rashid and alias Mohammed Suman who is a citizen of Bangladesh having illegally entered India was working as a teacher in Dhakalipara masjid (mosque),” said a police release issued on Saturday.

“Saiful Islam had successfully indoctrinated and motivated four others to join the module of Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) with a view to develop Barpeta district as a base for jihadi work and unlawful activities of Al-Qaida and its related organisation,” it added.

Police added that several incriminating documents and electronic devices were recovered from the possession of the accused persons.

A case has been registered at Barpeta police station under several sections of IPC, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Passport Act and Foreigners Act for charges including criminal conspiracy, attempting to wage war and raising funds for terrorist act. Further investigations are on.

Ansarullah Bangla Team is a Bangladesh-based Islamic ‘jihadi’ organisation.

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

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