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31 Dec 2025·Source: The Hindu
2 min
Polity & GovernanceInternational RelationsNEWS

11 Arrested for Alleged Links to Bangladesh Extremist Group JMB in Northeast

11 arrested in Northeast India for alleged links to Bangladesh-based extremist group JMB, aiming to destabilize the region.

11 Arrested for Alleged Links to Bangladesh Extremist Group JMB in Northeast

Photo by Bornil Amin

A Special Task Force (STF) in Assam, in a coordinated operation with local police and central agencies, has arrested 11 individuals across Assam and West Tripura for alleged links to the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), a banned extremist group. These individuals, identified as members of the Imam Mahmuder Kafila (IMK), were reportedly working under direct orders from Bangladesh-based groups with the primary objective of destabilizing India's northeastern region. This operation highlights the persistent threat of cross-border extremism and the importance of inter-agency coordination in maintaining internal security, particularly in sensitive border areas.

Key Facts

1.

11 people arrested in Assam and West Tripura

2.

Alleged links to Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB)

3.

Members of Imam Mahmuder Kafila (IMK)

4.

Aim to destabilize the northeast

UPSC Exam Angles

1.

Internal Security challenges in India, particularly in border areas and the Northeast.

2.

Role of state and central agencies in counter-terrorism operations.

3.

Cross-border terrorism and its implications for India's foreign policy and regional stability.

4.

Legal frameworks for combating terrorism (e.g., UAPA).

5.

India-Bangladesh relations and cooperation on security matters.

Visual Insights

JMB Extremism: Northeast India & Bangladesh Nexus

This map illustrates the geographical context of the recent arrests linked to Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) in India's Northeast, highlighting the cross-border nature of the threat originating from Bangladesh and targeting sensitive border regions.

Loading interactive map...

📍Assam📍West Tripura📍Bangladesh
More Information

Background

The Northeast region of India has historically been prone to various forms of insurgency and extremism, often fueled by ethnic, political, and socio-economic factors. Cross-border linkages with neighboring countries like Bangladesh and Myanmar have facilitated the movement of militants, arms, and funds, posing significant internal security challenges. Groups like Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) have been active in Bangladesh since the late 1990s, aiming to establish an Islamic state, and have increasingly sought to expand their influence into India.

Latest Developments

The recent arrests of 11 individuals linked to JMB and its affiliate Imam Mahmuder Kafila (IMK) across Assam and West Tripura highlight the persistent threat of cross-border religious extremism. The operation, involving a Special Task Force (STF) and central agencies, underscores the sophisticated network of these groups operating under direct orders from Bangladesh-based entities, with the alleged objective of destabilizing India's northeastern region. This demonstrates the continued need for robust intelligence gathering, inter-agency coordination, and effective border management.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967: 1. The Act empowers the Central Government to declare an association as unlawful if it promotes or encourages unlawful activity. 2. Under UAPA, both Indian and foreign nationals can be charged for terrorist acts committed outside India. 3. The Act allows for the designation of individuals as terrorists, in addition to organizations. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • A.1 and 2 only
  • B.2 and 3 only
  • C.1 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer

Answer: D

Statement 1 is correct: UAPA empowers the Central Government to declare associations as unlawful. Statement 2 is correct: The Act has an extra-territorial application, meaning it applies to Indian citizens even outside India and also to foreign nationals who commit a scheduled offence targeting India. Statement 3 is correct: The UAPA (Amendment) Act, 2019, empowered the government to designate individuals as terrorists. All three statements are correct.

2. With reference to India's internal security architecture, consider the following statements: 1. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has jurisdiction to investigate terror cases across states without requiring state government permission. 2. The Border Security Force (BSF) is primarily responsible for guarding India's land borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. 3. The Special Task Force (STF) mentioned in the news is a central agency directly under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • A.1 and 2 only
  • B.2 and 3 only
  • C.1 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer

Answer: A

Statement 1 is correct: NIA was established after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and has the mandate to investigate terror-related crimes across the country without requiring prior permission from state governments. Statement 2 is correct: BSF is indeed the primary border guarding force for India's borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. Statement 3 is incorrect: A Special Task Force (STF) is typically a specialized unit of a state police force, or a joint task force involving state and central agencies, but it is not a central agency directly under the MHA in the same way as NIA or IB. The news mentions 'STF in Assam', indicating it's likely a state-level or state-led unit.

3. Which of the following statements best describes the primary challenge posed by groups like Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) to India's internal security in the Northeast region?

  • A.Their primary objective is to instigate ethnic conflicts among indigenous communities.
  • B.They focus on economic sabotage by targeting key infrastructure projects.
  • C.They exploit porous borders for radicalization, recruitment, and cross-border operations aimed at destabilization.
  • D.Their main activity is large-scale arms trafficking to support local insurgent groups.
Show Answer

Answer: C

The news summary explicitly states that JMB-linked individuals were 'working under direct orders from Bangladesh-based groups with the primary objective of destabilizing India's northeastern region.' This destabilization often involves radicalization, recruitment, and utilizing porous borders for cross-border movement, as highlighted by the 'persistent threat of cross-border extremism'. While other options might represent secondary activities or general challenges in the NE, option C directly addresses the core threat described in the news and the nature of such extremist groups.

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