Two ‘jihadi’ modules with links to Bangladesh outfit busted in Assam; 10 nabbed

This is not the first instance of jihadis with Bangladeshi links nabbed in Assam. In March and April, 10 residents of Barpeta district and a Bangladeshi national with links to ABT were arrested in the state

Published on: Jul 28, 2022, 19:25:36 IST

By Utpal Parashar

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Assam police on Thursday claimed to have busted two ‘jihadi’ modules with links to a terror outfit in Bangldesh and nabbed 10 people in the past 48 hours, officials informed.

One module was busted in Barpeta district in lower Assam, while the other was in Morigaon district of central Assam. Police say both have links with Bangladesh-based Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), which is part of Al Qaida in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS).

“Action has been taken against jihadi modules and this is part of a coordinated effort with national agencies. There are several jihadi elements in Assam with links to radicalised outfits in Bangladesh. This happens because of the state’s close proximity with the neighbouring nation,” chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

This is not the first instance of jihadis with Bangladeshi links nabbed in Assam. In March and April, 10 residents of Barpeta district and a Bangladeshi national with links to ABT were arrested in the state.

“On Wednesday, Bongaigaon district police had arrested one Abbas Ali from Goalpara district for links with ABT and also for sheltering a jihadi from Bangaldesh in his house. Based on his interrogation, 8 more people, 7 in Barpeta district and one in Guwahati, have been nabbed,” said Additional DGP (Special Branch) Hiren Nath.

On the other hand, the police in Morigaon have arrested one Mufti Mustafa Ahmed from Moirabari for links with ABT. The accused used to run a madrasa in the district, which the police have sealed following his arrest.

Preliminary investigation has revealed that Ahmed used to regularly receive money since 2020 from a Bangladesh national with jihadi links. He had also sheltered two Bangladeshi nationals at his home till January, 2022, police said.

“We recovered jihadi literature and videos from Ahmed’s house. There’s very strong evidence against him. He was produced in court on Thursday and sent to 12 days police custody. The other persons are being questioned for more information,” said Nath.

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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