In a significant coordinated crackdown, security forces in Assam and Tripura have apprehended eleven individuals suspected of maintaining active links with banned fundamentalist groups based in neighboring Bangladesh. The operation, which unfolded on Tuesday, marks a crucial step in dismantling cross-border extremist networks.
Coordinated Police Action Across Two States
According to official statements, the arrests were the result of simultaneous raids conducted by police teams in both states. In Assam, the operation was spearheaded by the state police's Special Task Force (STF). Nine individuals were taken into custody from the Karimganj and Hailakandi districts, areas that share a porous border with Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, in Tripura, a separate police team arrested two more suspects. The individuals are alleged to have connections with fundamentalist organizations that are outlawed in Bangladesh, posing a potential threat to regional security.
Links to Banned Outfits: Ansarullah Bangla Team and JMB
Investigators have identified the specific groups involved. The arrested individuals are suspected of having affiliations with Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) and Jamatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB). Both organizations are proscribed as terrorist entities by the Bangladeshi government and have been linked to violent attacks and radicalization activities in the past.
While the full scope of their activities is under investigation, preliminary reports suggest the network was involved in recruitment and possibly facilitating cross-border movement. The police have not ruled out the possibility of the suspects providing logistical support or shelter to operatives.
Ongoing Investigation and Security Implications
The arrests underscore the persistent challenge of cross-border militancy in India's northeastern region. Security agencies remain on high alert, monitoring the activities of such groups that seek to exploit the long and often difficult-to-patrol international boundary.
All eleven arrested individuals are currently being interrogated by joint teams of police and intelligence officials. The focus is on uncovering the extent of the network, its funding sources, and any planned activities that may have been disrupted by this operation.
This successful operation highlights the effectiveness of inter-state coordination and intelligence sharing. It also serves as a stern warning to elements attempting to use Indian territory for activities linked to foreign extremist organizations. Further details are expected to emerge as the probe deepens in the coming days.
