Bengal and Assam STF arrest two suspected Bangladeshi militants from Murshidabad

The Assam Special Task Force (STF), in collaboration with the Bengal STF, arrested two suspected militants in Murshidabad's Hariharpara late Wednesday night. The arrests come amid ongoing unrest in Bangladesh and growing concerns over cross-border activities linked to terror networks.

The suspects, identified as Mohammad Awas and Minarul Sheikh, are reportedly affiliated with the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), a banned militant organization. Authorities believe the duo is involved in a fake passport ring, a crucial component of JMB's operations in the region. The search led to the recovery of four mobile phones and a pen drive, although investigators have not disclosed further details about the content of these devices.

The arrests are the latest development in an intensified crackdown on terror modules and fake document syndicates in eastern India. Earlier this week, the Assam STF conducted a search operation in the Dhubri area of Assam, which resulted in the arrest of four individuals allegedly linked to the same network. Information obtained during their interrogation led to the Murshidabad raid.

Sources suggest that these arrests indicate a well-organized cross-border network that supports militant activities through document forgery and other logistical support. The suspects are believed to have connections to JMB modules operating in West Bengal, a region that has seen increased activity from extremist organizations due to its proximity to Bangladesh.

Residents in Hariharpara expressed shock at the arrests, as the area has historically been peaceful. Authorities, however, caution that this operation is part of a broader effort to dismantle terror networks using rural and semi-urban areas as safe havens. The STF teams are currently analyzing the seized documents and digital devices to uncover further links and collaborators. Additional arrests may follow as the investigation progresses.