Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Guwahati Police Commissioner Parthasarathi Mahanta said the accused were working under the directions of Bangladesh-based fundamentalist handlers and were linked to a newly formed extremist outfit identified as Indian Mujahideen–K (IM-K), also referred to as Imam Mahmuder Kafila (IMK). “A total of 11 jihadi elements have been arrested. Ten were apprehended from different districts of Assam, while one was held in Tripura,” Mahanta said.
The arrests were made late Monday night in Barpeta, Chirang, Darrang and Baksa districts of Assam, and West Tripura, following synchronised raids. Police said the group had been active for a considerable period and was attempting to expand its footprint in Assam and other parts of the Northeast.
According to investigators, the operatives aimed to promote extremist ideology, disrupt communal harmony and establish Islamic supremacy in the region. “Their objective was to destabilise Assam and neighbouring states by radicalising vulnerable individuals and creating sleeper modules,” Mahanta said, adding that further arrests could not be ruled out as the investigation progresses.
The STF identified Nasim Uddin alias Tamim, a resident of Barpeta, as the Assam module in-charge of the outfit. Others arrested include Junab Ali (Chirang), Afrahim Hussain (Darrang), Mizanur Rahman, Sultan Mehmud, Md Siddique Ali, Shahruk Hussain and Md Dilbar Razak (all from Barpeta), Rasidul Alam and Mahibul Khan (Baksa), and Jagir Miah from West Tripura.
STF chief Dr Partha Sarathi Mahanta said a large cache of incriminating documents and materials had been seized during the operation. “Preliminary findings suggest the group was in constant contact with handlers based in Bangladesh. The seized documents will help establish the network’s funding, communication channels and future plans,” he said.
Security agencies are now analysing digital evidence and financial trails to determine the full extent of the network. Officials said the crackdown underscores heightened vigilance amid concerns over cross-border radicalisation and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to preventing extremist activities in the Northeast.
