Guwahati: Assam police revealed that former Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and Neo JMB members are now assisting AQIS in establishing its network in the state after the arrest of four individuals with ties to Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) and Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) on Tuesday.
“Out of the four arrested persons, Sadeq Ali was earlier associated with JMB and Neo JMB and for the last two years working for AQIS and radicalising youths including Jakibul Ali (who was also arrested by police) and others,” said a senior official of Assam police.
The accused held a number of gatherings this year in the districts of Nalbari and Barpeta as well as in some areas of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), where they indoctrinated numerous youths into joining the terror group with headquarters in Bangladesh.
“Sadeq Ali was arrested from Dongar Gaon Anchalik Madrassa under Tamulpur police station,” police added.
Nalbari Police and Tamulpur Police arrested four people in connection with their participation in jihadi activities on October 17.
The arrested accused were identified as Md. Habel Ali, 26, and Abu Raihan, 26, both hail from the Ghograpar area of the Nalbari district, informed the officials.
“In connection with Ghograpar police station Case number 163/22, U/S- 120(B)/ 121/121(A)/122 IPC , R/W-Sec -10/13 UA(P) Act, Nalbari district police arrested two persons identified as Md Habel Ali (26 years old) and Abu Raihan (26 years old). Today police produced them before the court,” Superintendent of Police (Nalbari), Pabindra Kumar Nath said on Monday.
The top police official further said, during interrogation, Md Habel Ali confessed that he indoctrinated a few people to join AQIS and ABT.
“Our investigation is on and few other people are currently under police radar,” the police official added.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma lauded the police for the “commendable job” and said that the government is determined to “root out jihadi elements” from the state.
TamulpurPolice has done a commendable job in nabbing 2 persons — Sadeq Ali & Jakibul Ali — who lured youth to join B’desh-based terror outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team affiliated to al-Qaeda in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS),” Sarma tweeted.
“Arrest of Sadeq Ali is a significant achievement since he had been radicalising youth including Jakibul Ali for past 2 years. He was also associated with JMB & Neo-JMB. Meanwhile, Ghagrapar Police (Nalbari Dist) too arrested 2 persons — Habel Ali & Abu Raihan — in a similar case,” the Chief Minister added.
Earlier, Assam Police had arrested 38 persons linked with AQIS/ABT from different parts of the state.