The arrest follows the detention of three alleged network operatives from Dhubri, Chirang and Barpeta in July
Hailakandi: The Special Task Force (STF) of Assam Police on Wednesday, August 26, arrested a suspected operative of the Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) in Hailakandi district, officials said.
The 21-year-old was apprehended from the Ramnathpur area during a joint operation by the STF and Hailakandi Police. Officials said the arrest followed leads developed during investigations into three alleged SBN operatives arrested from Dhubri, Chirang and Barpeta districts on July 25.
An official said the arrest was part of the STF’s continuing investigation and action against extremist and anti-national networks operating in the state. Several documents were reportedly recovered from the suspect.
According to a government statement, the Shahzad Bhatti Network is a Pakistan-based terror syndicate allegedly linked to grenade, improvised explosive device (IED) and petrol bomb attacks, as well as targeted killings in different parts of India.
The network has also allegedly been involved in recruiting and paying local operatives to conduct reconnaissance of police, defence and religious sites and install CCTV cameras for espionage purposes, the statement said.
The latest arrest is expected to provide investigators with further leads into the network’s alleged activities and presence in Assam.
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