— Attachment Content: SBN linked operative held in Assam.docx — SBN-linked operative held in Hailakandi, fourth arrest in case Silchar: Assam Police’s Special Task Force (STF), in a joint operation with Hailakandi district police, arrested a 21-year-old man from the Ramnathpur police station area on Wednesday for his alleged links with the Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN), taking the number of arrests in the case to four.The accused, identified as Fazal Islam Barbhuiyan, had been absconding in connection with STF police station case No. 06/2026. Police said incriminating documents and suspected surveillance-related materials were recovered from his possession during the operation.Officials said Barbhuiyan’s arrest followed leads gathered during the investigation into three alleged SBN operatives earlier apprehended from Dhubri, Chirang and Barpeta districts. He is being questioned in the custody of Hailakandi police.According to police, the Pakistan-based network allegedly recruits local conduits to conduct surveillance of defence, police and religious establishments. The syndicate is also suspected of plotting grenade, improvised explosive device and petrol-bomb attacks in India.Investigators are examining Barbhuiyan’s alleged role in the network and trying to identify his contacts, handlers and possible associates. The documents and other materials seized from him are also being scrutinised.The SBN investigation is part of the STF’s continuing crackdown on alleged transnational extremist networks operating in Assam. In recent operations, the force has acted against suspected modules of the Bangladesh-based Ansarullah Bangla Team and Imam Mahmuder Kafila.The STF also busted an alleged Pakistan-linked fake-SIM network under Operation Ghost SIM. Investigations into suspected recruitment, financing, online radicalisation and surveillance activities are continuing. – bbg.
