Chennai, February 12, 2025: In a major breakthrough against terror networks, the Special Task Force (STF) of Assam Police has arrested Abu Salam Ali, a key operative linked to both Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) and Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), from Chennai as part of Operation Praghat.
The arrest of Abu Salam Ali marks a significant milestone in the nationwide crackdown on extremist groups. Parthasarathi Mahanta, Inspector General of Police (STF), Assam, revealed that Ali was tracked down to a locality under the Semmencherry Police Station in Chennai with the help of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu Police.
சென்னையில் அசாம் பயங்கரவாதி! #NewsUpdate#chennai #TNPolice #assamterrorist #TamilJanam pic.twitter.com/7Am0IESd5Q
— Tamil Janam (@TamilJanamNews) February 14, 2025
Ali, a resident of Khudigaon Part-II village in Assam’s Dhubri district, had been evading authorities since December 17, 2024, when eight ABT members were arrested in a coordinated operation across Assam, Kerala, and West Bengal.
சென்னையில் கைது செய்யப்பட்டும் நேற்று இந்த செய்தி வட மாநில ஊடகங்களில் வெளியான நிலையில் தமிழகத்தின் பிரதான ஊடகங்களில் மட்டும் இந்த செய்தி இல்லையே ஏன்..?? pic.twitter.com/DXWrwzYzaZ
— Saravanaprasad Balasubramanian (Modi ka Pariwar) (@BS_Prasad) February 14, 2025
Operation Praghat and Past Arrests
The arrest of Abu Salam Ali is part of Operation Praghat, an ongoing offensive aimed at dismantling radical networks and global terrorist organizations operating within India. Over the past two months, the Assam STF has arrested 14 members linked to either ABT or JMB from different parts of the country.
In December 2024, the STF also apprehended five operatives of the Pakistan-backed terror outfit, Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). Earlier, in 2016, Tamil Nadu Police, in coordination with West Bengal Police, had arrested Moosa alias Mohammed Mosurrudin, a JMB terrorist with alleged links to ISIS and other extremist organizations from Tirupur, marking the first such operation in the region.
According to STF officials, Ali played a critical role in strengthening extremist factions and was working in close coordination with Nur Islam Mandal and Shahinur Islam to expand the terror network. Investigations have revealed that the group was plotting attacks on Indian political leaders and aiming to create sleeper cells across multiple states.
Authorities also disclosed that 16 arrested operatives, including Bangladeshi nationals, were acting under the instructions of Md Farhan Israk, a close associate of Jasimuddin Rahmani, Chief of ABT. One such operative, Md Sad Radi alias Md Shab Sheikh (32), a resident of Rajshahi, Bangladesh, was dispatched to India to propagate extremist ideology among like-minded individuals.
West Bengal Police recently warned that Bangladeshi sleeper cells were planning attacks on the Siliguri corridor, a strategically significant region in eastern India. Additionally, top Assam Police officials have confirmed that the arrested individuals maintained direct links with handlers in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Their objectives reportedly included:
- Establishing sleeper cells across India.
- Assassinating leaders from the Hindu community and RSS.
- Engaging in violent and subversive activities.
- Concerns Over Tamil Nadu’s Security Lapses:
Despite such major arrests, Tamil Nadu’s state security apparatus has come under scrutiny. Critics argue that the state has become a “safe haven” for fugitives, terror groups, and illegal Bangladeshi migrants. Many of these individuals have been found residing with fake Aadhaar cards, allowing them to evade law enforcement.
It is reported that at least 45 Bangladeshi nationals arrested from Tirupur, Salem, Namakkal, Coimbatore, and Pollachi have absconded after being granted bail. These individuals are now suspected to be in contact with Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen and ABT operatives. However, local intelligence agencies appear to be unaware of their whereabouts.
Adding to the controversy, critics claim that Tamil Nadu Police are more focused on arresting social media activists critical of the state government and minority community issues rather than addressing serious national security threats.
Public Reaction and Political Fallout
The arrest of Abu Salam Ali has sparked widespread discussions on social media regarding Tamil Nadu’s alleged failure in counter-terrorism efforts. However, local mainstream media in Tamil Nadu has largely ignored the incident, failing to report the arrest even as a minor news item.
It is pertinent to note what Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K. Annamalai stated in December 2024, as reported in Organiser. He referenced the October 23, 2022, car bomb blast and criticized the handling of the case by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and the then-police chief.
Annamalai alleged that the state government attempted to downplay the incident as an LPG cylinder explosion, whereas in reality, it was a suicide bombing attempt involving a nine-member terrorist gang. According to him, the terrorist driving the car accidentally detonated explosives while navigating a speed breaker.
He further stated that in February 2022, a meeting in the Sathyamangalam forest area was attended by Mubeen, a self-proclaimed ISIS operative, and eight others. Led by Umar Farooq, the group plotted an attack on a popular textile showroom to collapse its pillars, causing mass casualties. Additionally, they planned a second attack on the Coimbatore City Police Commissioner’s office.
Annamalai criticised the state intelligence agencies for failing to detect the plot and lamented that Tamil Nadu Police were not functioning efficiently in tackling terror threats.
