Guwahati: The Assam Special Task Force (STF), in coordination with police teams from Dhubri, Chirang and Barpeta districts, has arrested three suspected members of an alleged terror-linked network with cross-border connections.
The arrests were made during a coordinated operation conducted on July 24 as part of the investigation into STF Police Station Case No. 06/2026, officials said.
According to the STF, the action followed specific intelligence indicating the presence of operatives associated with the Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN). Investigators allege the network is involved in recruiting individuals, online radicalisation, intelligence gathering, logistics support, illegal arms procurement, creation of sleeper cells and facilitating terrorist activities across different parts of India.
The agency further claimed that the network functions under the guidance of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) through handlers operating from across the border using encrypted communication platforms.
Officials said the organisation allegedly uses multiple front groups to conceal its operations and maintain its cross-border links. These include 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).
Investigators also said the TTH had claimed responsibility for the targeted killings of two Punjab Police personnel on February 22 and May 24, 2026.
The STF said its probe into the network’s activities in Assam began during an earlier investigation in Nalbari district, which resulted in the arrest of another alleged operative on May 22, 2026.
Those arrested in the latest operation have been identified as Akramul Islam (26) from Beparipara in Dhubri district, Aminur Rahman (22) from Dhupiri in Panbari, Chirang district, and Abdul Hussain (54) from Dabandia in Kalgachia, Barpeta district.
During the raids, security personnel recovered five mobile phones, seven SIM cards, Aadhaar cards, bank passbooks, debit cards and several other documents, which investigators believe could provide further evidence about the alleged network.
The STF said the investigation is continuing to determine the full extent of the group’s activities, trace its wider network and identify any additional individuals linked to the case.