Assam STF busts Pakistan-linked terror module, arrests three

Guwahati: The Special Task Force (STF) of Assam Police on Saturday said it had unearthed a terror module linked to the Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) and arrested three alleged operatives in the state.

The STF carried out a coordinated operation on Friday with the assistance of the district police in Dhubri, Chirang and Barpeta.

During the operation, the STF arrested Akramul Islam from Dhubri, Aminur Rahman from Chirang, and Abdul Hussain from Barpeta, police said.


Police said the operation also led to the seizure of five mobile phones, seven SIM cards, Aadhaar cards, bank passbooks, debit cards and other incriminating documents.

The operation was launched based on credible intelligence about the activities of the Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN), a Pakistan-based terrorist-criminal network 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, police said.

According to the investigation and intelligence inputs forming part of the case, the network allegedly operates under the directions of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) through Pakistan-based handlers using encrypted communication channels.

Police said the investigation further indicates that the network operates through and is associated with several front organisations, including Khalistan Armed Force, Punjab Sovereignty Alliance, Khalistan Liberation Army, Sher-e-Punjab Brigade, United Sikh Brotherhood, Sikh Tigers of Khalistan, and Tehrik-e-Taliban Hindustan (TTH), which are allegedly used to conceal its operational structure and cross-border links.

According to Assam Police, TTH claimed responsibility for the targeted killings of two Punjab Police personnel in 2026. The network's activities in Assam first came to light during an investigation in Nalbari district, which led to the arrest of an alleged operative on May 22 this year, police added.