The Central government, alongside multiple intelligence agencies, has issued an alert to northeastern states in India about possible activities by Bangladesh-based terror organizations, specifically Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and its associated groups. According to senior officials, the warning includes specific guidance for states like Assam and Tripura, where such outfits have historically attempted to expand due to unique geopolitical and demographic conditions.
A senior police official revealed that following directives from the Centre, both state and central intelligence agencies have intensified vigilance in mixed-population, border, and other sensitive areas in the region. “Assam and Tripura are historically significant targets for Bangladesh-based groups due to factors like geography and demographics. However, Indian security forces have successfully disrupted these groups’ plans before they could take root,” the official stated, choosing to remain anonymous.
Over the past year, Assam Police have arrested several individuals suspected of connections with Bangladeshi terror organizations, including Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) and Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). These suspects were apprehended in various districts and border areas of Assam, and are now facing charges under multiple laws, including the Indian Penal Code, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), the Passport Act of 1920, and the Foreigners Act of 1946. These arrests highlight the region’s ongoing struggle against infiltration and terror-related activities from across the border.
Heightened Surveillance in Border Areas
The Centre’s warning comes at a time of heightened security and surveillance along India’s borders with Bangladesh. The Border Security Force (BSF) has ramped up its presence along the 4,096 km border in response to recent unrest in Bangladesh, which began in June-July this year. Over the past three and a half months, authorities—including BSF, Government Railway Police (GRP), and Tripura Police—have detained over 450 Bangladeshi nationals and more than 60 Rohingya refugees, many of whom entered India illegally through Tripura. These individuals were apprehended at the Agartala railway station and other locations across the state.
Meanwhile, Assam Police have reported detecting around 150 unauthorized entrants in the past three months alone. These individuals were subsequently deported to Bangladesh. Many Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingya refugees admitted that they crossed into India seeking employment and shelter.
Five Indian states—West Bengal, Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Assam—share a border with Bangladesh, making them particularly vulnerable to cross-border movement and illegal infiltration. Among them, West Bengal has the longest shared border at 2,216 km, followed by Tripura (856 km), Meghalaya (443 km), Mizoram (318 km), and Assam (263 km).
Bangladesh-Based Group Activities to be Discussed in DGP Conference
The potential activities of JMB and other terror outfits in the northeastern region are expected to be a central topic of discussion at the annual Director General of Police (DGP)-Inspector General of Police (IGP) meeting scheduled to take place in New Delhi later this month. This high-level meeting will address counterterrorism strategies and inter-agency coordination to strengthen security across India’s northeastern borders.
Central intelligence agencies have also issued alerts to their counterparts in West Bengal, warning of JMB’s plans to reorganize its cells in seven districts bordering Bangladesh. These districts include Malda, Murshidabad, North Dinajpur, Birbhum, Nadia, North 24 Parganas, and South 24 Parganas. Security forces in these areas have been instructed to increase surveillance and stay vigilant for any suspicious activity.
Longstanding Threat of Infiltration and Illegal Entry
Bangladesh’s socioeconomic challenges and recurring unrest have fueled illegal cross-border migration into northeastern India, often facilitated by networks of human traffickers. The porous borders make it difficult to monitor all entry points, which has led Indian security forces to deploy advanced surveillance and coordinate closely with border communities.
Indian authorities have recently intensified border patrolling, using modern surveillance equipment, drones, and canine units to prevent unauthorized entry and minimize the threat posed by organized cross-border crime. Despite these measures, the region remains vulnerable to infiltration attempts, especially along unmonitored routes.
Officials have reiterated that India’s intelligence and security agencies remain vigilant and are well-prepared to thwart any terrorist plans aimed at destabilizing the northeastern states. Efforts to counter and monitor extremist activities, combined with comprehensive intelligence gathering and robust border management, reflect India’s proactive stance in safeguarding its northeastern borders from external threats.
