Thu Dec 19 12:06:49 UTC 2024: ## Assam Police Bust Al-Qaeda Linked Terrorist Cell in Multi-State Operation

**GUWAHATI, INDIA –** Assam Police’s Special Task Force (STF) launched a nationwide operation, codenamed “Operation Praghat,” resulting in the arrest of eight suspected terrorists, including a Bangladeshi national linked to an Al-Qaeda affiliate. The arrests, made across Kerala, West Bengal, and Assam on the night of December 17-18, thwarted a plot to target members of the RSS and other Hindu organizations.

The key suspect, 32-year-old Md Sad Radi (aka Md Shab Seikh), a Bangladeshi national and member of the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), an Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) affiliate, entered India in November. His aim was to activate sleeper cells in Assam and West Bengal before moving to Kerala. Radi is reportedly close to Md Farhan Israk, an aide to the ABT leader Jasimuddin Rahmani.

According to the STF, the group planned violent attacks, assassinations, and the disruption of communal harmony to destabilize the region. Investigations revealed that several meetings were held in West Bengal, where plans to target prominent Hindu leaders were discussed. The arrested individuals, including Minarul Sheikh, Md Abbas Ali, Nur Islam Mandal, Abdul Karim Mandal, Mojibar Rahman, Hamidul Islam, and Enamul Haque, face charges related to terrorism and conspiracy.

Assam Special DGP Harmeet Singh lauded the operation as a major success, highlighting the collaborative efforts of central agencies and police forces across multiple states in preventing a potential large-scale attack. The arrests underscore concerns regarding the spillover of extremist activities from Bangladesh into India. Investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of the group’s plans and network.

Read More