The arrested individuals were apprehended in coordinated raids across Dhubri, Chirang, and Barpeta districts, yielding incriminating materials. The SBN is accused of involvement in recruitment, radicalization, espionage, and arms procurement, allegedly using multiple front organizations to conceal its activities and cross-border connections, with investigations initiated following an earlier arrest in Nalbari district.

The arrested individuals were apprehended in coordinated raids across Dhubri, Chirang, and Barpeta districts, yielding incriminating materials. The SBN is accused of involvement in recruitment, radicalization, espionage, and arms procurement, allegedly using multiple front organizations to conceal its activities and cross-border connections, with investigations initiated following an earlier arrest in Nalbari district.

The arrested individuals were apprehended in coordinated raids across Dhubri, Chirang, and Barpeta districts, yielding incriminating materials. The SBN is accused of involvement in recruitment, radicalization, espionage, and arms procurement, allegedly using multiple front organizations to conceal its activities and cross-border connections, with investigations initiated following an earlier arrest in Nalbari district.

The Assam Police have busted a terror module linked to the Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN), officials said on Saturday. Three alleged operatives of the group were arrested, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

"We have arrested three jihadis linked with Pakistan. So far, we have been arresting jihadis having links with Bangladesh. This is the first time we have nabbed jihadi elements having direct links with Pakistan," CM Sarma said while addressing a press conference here after a cabinet meeting.

According to the investigation and intelligence inputs forming part of the case, the network is alleged to operate in association with and under the directions of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) through Pakistan-based handlers and encrypted communication channels, Pegu said.

An Assam Police spokesperson said the Special Task Force (STF) conducted a coordinated operation on Friday with assistance from the district police of Dhubri, Chirang, and Barpeta.

"During the operation, the STF apprehended one suspect each from Dhubri, Chirang, and Barpeta districts," he was quoted as saying by PTI.

The operation also resulted in the seizure of five mobile phones, seven SIM cards, Aadhaar cards, bank passbooks, debit cards, and incriminating documents, the official said.

"Further investigation is in progress," he added.

Speaking about the exercise, STF Senior Superintendent of Police Pranab Kumar Pegu said the operation was launched on the basis of credible intelligence regarding the activities of the Shahzad Bhatti network.

"The Pakistan-based terrorist-criminal network is allegedly involved in recruitment, online radicalisation, reconnaissance, logistics, espionage, illegal procurement of arms, establishment of sleeper cells, and facilitation of terrorist activities in different parts of the country," PTI quoted him as saying.

"The network is associated with several front organisations, including the Khalistan Armed Force (KAF), Punjab Sovereignty Alliance (PSA), Khalistan Liberation Army (KLA), Sher-e-Punjab Brigade (SPB), United Sikh Brotherhood (USB), Sikh Tigers of Khalistan (STK), and Tehrik-e-Taliban Hindustan (TTH)," he added.

These groups are allegedly used to conceal the network's operational structure and cross-border links, the SSP claimed.

This year, the TTH claimed responsibility for two targeted killings of Punjab Police personnel on February 22 and May 24, he added.

"The network's activities in Assam first came to notice during an investigation in the Nalbari district, leading to the arrest of an operative on May 22," Pegu said.

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