Guwahati: An Imam (Islamic priest) was arrested in Bongaigaon district of Assam on suspicion of harbouring jihadists and having ties to terrorist organisations.
The accused Imam identified as Abbas Ali.
According to reports, Abbas allegedly provided the jihadis with housing and SIM cards in his name.
The two suspected jihadists have been identified as Jahangir Alom and Aminul, are also Bangladeshi nationals.
However, the duo identified themselves to locals as residents of West Bengal citizens.
According to reports, one suspected jihadi, namely Jaliluddin, established a madrassa in the Pakhiura area of the Goalpara district and hired the two jihadis as teachers.
Jalilludin then asked the Imam for assistance with their lodging and logistical support.
All three jihadis—Jaliluddin, Jahangir Alom, and Aminul—hid out following the arrest of the Imam. Later, police arrested them.
Links to Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) and al Qaeda modules were discovered by police after searching the home where the jihadis were hiding out.
The ABT, also known as “Ansarullah Islam” or “Ansar Bangla,” is an organisation that promotes Islamic jihad in Bangladesh.
According to reports, the ABT has gained ground in the northeastern Indian states that border Bangladesh, particularly in Assam and Tripura.
Further investigation is on.