AQIS arrests continue! Two Imams linked with AQIS and ABT terror groups arrested in Assam

Dispur, Aug 22: Two suspected terrorists linked with the Al-Qaeda Indian Subcontinent ( AQIS ) and Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) terror groups were arrested by the Assam police in the Goalpara district on Saturday (Aug 20). The top Assam cop said that the accused have allegedly given logistic support to the Jihadi terrorists who came here from Bangladesh.

The arrested persons have been identified as Abdus Subhan, Imam of Tinkunia Shantipur Mosque under Mornoi police station and Jalaluddin Sheikh, Imam of Tilapara Natun Mosque under Matia police station in Goalpara, after they were grilled by the police for several hours. V.V. Rakesh Reddy, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Goalpara district said, "We have gotten input in July this year from arrested Abbas Ali who is also linked with Jihadi elements. During the interrogation, we found that they were directly connected with Barpeta and Morigaon modules of AQIS / ABT in Assam."

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He further added, "During the house searches of the accused persons, a number of incriminating material related to the Al-Qaeda, Jihadi elements, posters, books among other documents were seized along with the mobile phones, SIM cards and ID cards." The Bangladeshi nationals are absconding and the arrested terrorists had given shelter to the Bangladeshi terrorists in Goalpara. The arrested persons had organized one Dharma Sabha in Dec 2019, at Sundarpur Tilapara Madrassa under the Matia police station where many Bangladeshi nationals with linkages to AQIS were invited as guest speakers.

He further disclosed that these arrested persons were involved in providing logistic support as well as sheltering the Bangladeshi nationals, who are currently absconding. SP V.V. Rakesh Reddy added, "They confessed being members of AQIS and recruited Ansars and Sleeper Cells in Goalpara and revealed direct funding and supports have come from the absconding Bangladeshi terrorists." A fresh case has been registered at Matia police station case number under the sections 120(B), 121, 121 (A) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) RW and sections 18, 18 (B), 19, and 20 of the UA(P) Act.

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Further investigation is underway. Earlier on Jul 28, 11 persons were detained in a major crackdown in Assam for their alleged links with the global terror outfits including AQIS and ABT.