Bangladeshi citizen Md Shab Seikh alias Md Sad Radi (L) and two of the accused, Md Abbas Ali (C) and Nur Islam Mondal (R). | India Today
Two more alleged terrorists, Abdul Zaher Sheikh and Sabbir Mirdha, were apprehended on December 25 in Assam’s Kokrajhar district. Both had strong ties to Bangladeshi operatives. Another suspect, Gazi Rahman, was arrested on December 30 and found to have played a key role in recruiting local youth into the jihadi network. These arrests brought the total number of detainees in Assam to twelve by the end of December.
The West Bengal Police Special Task Force (STF) also uncovered a sleeper cell of Islamic jihadis in Murshidabad district, arresting two operatives, Abbas Ali and Minarul Sheikh. Both had links to the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) and were plotting to disrupt the Siliguri Corridor, a crucial part of India’s logistical and military infrastructure. Disrupting this corridor would pose a significant threat to national security. Even homegrown jihadis, posing as student leaders, stirred unrest among their followers, which led to their arrest. Shortly after the Murshidabad arrests, Javed Ahmed Mushi, a suspected terrorist with the Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen (TuM), was detained in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, during a joint operation by the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the West Bengal STF.
The ABT’s extensive network is reflected in the arrests across several Indian states, including Kerala, far from Bangladesh. Md. Sad Radi's arrest revealed his coordination with individuals in Bangladesh and Pakistan to smuggle resources and spread jihadist propaganda. Kerala, known as a hub for logistical operations by Islamic jihadis and Islamic State recruits, is now also identified as a base for expanding networks across southern India.
The detainees often used fake identities and documents, backed by cross-border handlers who provided logistical support, training, and funding. They also communicated via encrypted platforms to maintain secrecy.
Counter-terrorism operations uncovered a wealth of evidence, reinforcing the gravity of the threat. Among the items seized were a 16 GB pen drive containing detailed plans for terror operations, indoctrination materials, and financial records linked to the ABT. Security forces also confiscated mobile phones with incriminating messages and recorded conversations with handlers in Bangladesh and Pakistan, along with improvised explosive devices (IEDs), live ammunition, a hand grenade, blank cartridges, and jihadi literature printed in Bangladesh.
These investigations have exposed a complex web of activities aimed at destabilizing India. The Siliguri Corridor, a key target for disruption, plays a vital role in connecting India’s northeastern states. Authorities also thwarted attempts to assassinate Hindu organization leaders, including members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which could have triggered communal violence and further loss of life. Recruitment efforts in Muslim-majority districts like Murshidabad and Alipurduar highlight the prevalence of jihadi sentiments among local youth.
As the ABT shifts its focus to spreading jihadist ideology and establishing operational bases in India, the porous Indo-Bangladesh border, spanning over 4,000 kilometers, remains a significant vulnerability. The unguarded border facilitates illegal crossings and smuggling of contraband, including arms and ammunition, making states like West Bengal and Assam susceptible to infiltration by Islamic jihadist groups.
While the arrests and seizures are important victories, they underscore the need for continuous vigilance, stronger border security, and improved intelligence-sharing mechanisms to combat the jihadi forces targeting India.
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