Two suspected terrorists linked with Al-Qaeda Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) were arrested by police in Assam’s Goalpara district.
Goalpara district police Saturday night arrested 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 district after they were grilled by police for hours.
V.V. Rakesh Reddy, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Goalpara district said both were arrested after they were grilled for hours.
“We got input in July this year from arrested Abbas Ali who is also linked with Jihadi elements. During interrogation we have found that they have direct connection with Barpeta and Morigaon modules of AQIS/ABT in Assam. During house searches of the accused persons, lot of incriminating material related to Al-Qaeda, Jihadi elements, posters, books among other documents were seized along with mobile phones, SIM cards and ID cards,” V.V. Rakesh Reddy said.
The top Assam cop further said they had given logistic supports to the Jihadi terrorists who came here from Bangladesh.
“The Bangladeshi nationals are absconding and the arrested terrorists had given shelter the Bangladeshi terrorists in Goalpara. The arrested persons had organized one Dharma Sabha in December 2019 at Sundarpur Tilapara Madrassa under Matia police station where many Bangaldeshi nationals with linkages to AQIS were invited as guest speakers,” the police official said.
He also said they were involved in providing logistic support as well as sheltering to now absconding Bangladeshi nationals.
“They confessed being members of AQIS and recruited Ansars/Sleeper Cells in Goalpara and direct funding and supports have come from the absconding Bangladeshi terrorists,” V.V. Rakesh Reddy said.
Meanwhile, a fresh case has been registered at Matia police station case number 105/22 u/s 120(B)/121/121 (A) IPC RW section 18/18 (B)/19/20 UA(P) Act and is being investigated.
(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
