Assam: Intel Over Activity By ISI And Al Qaeda, High Alert Issued

Assam Police has issued a high alert regarding possible terrorist attacks by Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI and terrorist organisation Al-Qaeda. The alert has come on account of the alleged persecution of Muslims in the state, informed the officials on Monday (18 October).

Public places, religious sites, and RSS cadres on target

The state police, citing a report received from their Special Branch, issued the alert through a communique. The Assistant Inspector General of Police (Law and Order), apprised all units of the security forces to stay prepared as “the ISI is planning to target individuals including Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh cadres and army areas in Assam and other parts in India.”

“There is also a threat from global terror outfits to indulge in spectacular action by resorting to explosion of bombs/IEDs in places of mass gathering, mass transport, religious places, etc,” it said.

“Don’t sit idly grieving”: Al-Qaeda’s call for jihad

Another input quoted in the circular indicated that Al-Qaeda’s As-Sahab, through a propaganda video, made a call for “jihad in Assam and Kashmir.” As per reports, the video titled 'Don't Sit Idly Grieving’, including some clips from Assam, shows alleged lynchings of Indian Muslims.

The circular further said that the general secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) had issued a statement regarding the Dhalpur eviction drive in the Darrang district of Assam. The OIC, in a Twitter thread, condemned the “systematic persecution and violence ramped up against the Muslim community in Assam.”

On 23 September, two people lost their lives and 20 others, including policemen, suffered severe injuries in the violence that broke out during the expulsion drive against illegal settlers in Dhalpur.

Police machinery asked to be on its toes

In the wake of such alarming reports, the state’s entire police machinery has been asked to take preventive and precautionary measures to thwart any evil design by “global terror outfits and fundamental/radical elements”.