STF busts Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti terror network in Assam, three held

Guwahati, July 25: Assam Police’s Special Task Force (STF) arrested three alleged operatives of the Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) in a coordinated pre-dawn operation on July 24, dealing a blow to what officials describe as a cross-border terror-recruitment module active in the state.

The arrested — Akramul Islam (26) of Beparipara, Dhubri; Aminur Rahman (22) of Panbari, Chirang; and Abdul Hussain (54) of Dabandia, Kalgachia in Barpeta — were picked up in simultaneous raids across the three districts, backed by local police, under STF Case No. 06/2026.

Police allege SBN runs a Pakistan-directed operation specialising in online radicalisation, target reconnaissance, anti-India propaganda, arms procurement, and building sleeper cells across the country. Investigators say the network communicates via encrypted channels and takes direction from operatives linked to Pakistan’s ISI.

The probe has also uncovered alleged ties to a cluster of extremist outfits — 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). Police noted TTH had claimed responsibility for killing two Punjab Police personnel in two separate attacks this year, on February 22 and May 24.

SBN’s footprint in Assam first surfaced during a Nalbari district investigation on May 22, 2026, when an alleged network member was arrested — a lead that ultimately triggered Thursday’s operation.

Searches recovered five mobile phones, seven SIM cards, Aadhaar cards, bank passbooks, debit cards and other documents believed linked to the network’s operations.

Superintendent of Police Pranab Kumar Pegu said specific intelligence had flagged sabotage plans and anti-national activity by the Pakistan-run network, which he said had built sleeper cells first activated in Punjab, Haryana and other parts of India before its footprint reached Assam and the Northeast this year.

“Acting on this intelligence, the STF launched simultaneous operations yesterday in Dhubri, Chirang and Barpeta, arresting three members of the network,” Pegu said.

“This is a Pakistan-based network, and all its funding originates from Pakistan.”
Further investigation is underway to trace the network’s wider chain of contacts and funding routes.

Also Read: Security forces nab top UKNA leader in Manipur, recover extortion notes

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