NIA files chargesheet against 2 members of Al Qaeda terror module operating from Assam

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a supplementary chargesheet against two active members of an Al-Qaeda linked terrorist group’s active module operating from Assam. The cadres were conspiring to spread terror and violence in India.

“The two accused, Md Akbar Ali @ Akbar Ali and Abul Kalam Azad, had conspired with the other accused to instigate and promote terrorist activities, as part of an active terror module of the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), which is affiliated to the proscribed terrorist organisation, Al-Qaeda in Indian Sub-Continent (AQIS). They were engaged in strengthening the Al-Qaeda/ABT and grooming the youth to commit terror acts, as per NIA investigations in the case (RC-02/2022/NIA/Guw),” an NIA release said today.

Both Akbar Ali and Abul Kalam Azad were arrested on 5th April 2023 and have now been charged under various sections of IPC and UA(P) Act by the NIA, which had filed the original chargesheet against eight other accused in August last year.

Investigations have also revealed that the two accused were co-conspirators in organising meetings for expanding the activities of AQIS to various religious places in the neighbouring districts of Assam. “The radicalization and mobilisation of Muslims was being done under the active guidance of the module’s Bangladeshi handlers, namely Zakir @ Mehdi Hassan @ Aminul Islam, Mehboor Rahman @ Mehboob Alam @ Sultan,” the release said.

The case was filed originally by the Assam Police on 4th March 2022 and taken over by the NIA on 22nd March 2022 under relevant sections of IPC, UA(P) Act, Passports Act and Foreigners Act after the activities of the ABT module came to light. The module, operating in Barpeta Dsitrict of Assam, was led by a Bangladeshi national, Saiful Islam alias Haroon Rashid alias Md. Suman.

Investigations revealed that Saiful was cleverly operating under the cover of an Arabic teacher at ‘Shaikhul Hind Mahmadul Hasan Jamiul Huda Islamic Academy’ (Dhakaliapara Madarsa) and Imam at the Dhakaliapara Masjid. He was actively engaged in indoctrination and radicalisation of Muslims to join Jihadi outfits to work in modules (‘Ansars’ – sleeper cells) for building a base for Al-Qaeda and its various manifestations/outfits in India.

A search is on for the Bangladeshi handlers of the module and other members involved in promotion and perpetration of terrorism for Al-Qaeda and ABT in the country.

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