The Special Task Force (STF) of Assam Police has apprehended a 21-year-old man in Hailakandi district for his alleged ties with the Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN), officials confirmed on Wednesday. The arrest highlights ongoing counter-terrorism operations targeted at neutralizing anti-national cells operating across the state.
Joint Raid in Ramnathpur Yields Key Documents
Security forces executed the joint operation in the Ramnathpur area of Hailakandi district following investigative leads regarding the group's clandestine activities. Teams from the STF worked in coordination with local Hailakandi Police to track down the suspect. During the search and apprehension process, officers recovered several documents from the accused, which are currently being analyzed for further intelligence.
Follow-Up to Previous Module Crackdowns
This recent breakthrough comes shortly after the STF conducted coordinated raids on July 25, arresting three other suspected SBN operatives across Dhubri, Chirang, and Barpeta districts. Law enforcement agencies emphasized that the latest detainment is part of a broader, continuous investigation focused on dismantling extremist infrastructure and foreign-backed espionage channels within Assam.
Modus Operandi of the Shahzad Bhatti Network
According to an official government statement, the Shahzad Bhatti Network functions as a Pakistan-based terror syndicate implicated in orchestrating grenade strikes, improvised explosive device (IED) detonations, petrol bomb assaults, and targeted assassinations across various parts of India. Intelligence indicates that the syndicate recruits local conduits using monetary incentives to conduct surveillance on key police stations, military installations, and religious sites. Operatives were reportedly assigned tasks such as mounting covert CCTV cameras for espionage. The STF continues its probe to uncover remaining links and determine the overall footprint of the network in the region.
