A key operative of the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), a Bangladesh-based terror group affiliated with Al Qaeda, has been apprehended in Assam’s Kokrajhar district, officials reported on Monday. The individual, identified as Gazi Rahman (35), had been evading capture.
Rahman’s arrest is part of the Assam Special Task Force’s (STF) ongoing ‘Operation Parghat,’ aimed at dismantling terror modules. “Legal proceedings are underway in this case, and the STF is steadfast in its efforts to apprehend all individuals linked to the network,” an official stated.
So far, at least 12 associates of this terror module have been detained, according to officials.
Earlier this month, Assam police conducted raids targeting a ‘sleeper cell’ network, where members had reportedly formed sleeper cells across various parts of India and were allegedly planning to assassinate Hindu community leaders.
During operations on the night of December 17-18, eight operatives were arrested across Assam, West Bengal, and Kerala. These individuals were said to be managed by handlers based in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Subsequently, two more operatives were arrested on December 24, along with a significant cache of arms, ammunition, and war-like equipment. Another arrest followed three days later.
“These 12 arrests mark a significant achievement for the STF in thwarting a potential major terror attack by Jihadi elements of a Global Terrorist Organisation (GTO),” an official remarked.
