The current arrest of 5 people from numerous places in Assam, who’re believed to have connections with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence and suspected involvement in terrorism, is a regarding improvement for Northeast India. This area is dwelling to essential army installations and is in shut proximity to China and Bangladesh, which makes it notably weak. Therefore, it’s essential to not underestimate the potential threats confronted by Northeast India, notably Assam, which additionally has a continually and fast-rising Muslim inhabitants.
As per information stories, the apprehended people have been recognised as Badruddin of Dhaniabheti Chalnabari close to Batadrova Than, Baharul Islam of Moirabari Saruchala, Ashikul Islam of Juria, Wahiduz Jaman, and Mirjanur Rahman. The police recovered 136 sim playing cards, 28 cell handsets, and some incriminating paperwork from their possession.
They had been arrested for offering Indian cell sim playing cards to Pakistan’s intelligence company ISI.
In truth, Pakistan’s former ISI head Lt General Assad Durrani had as soon as knowledgeable the Pakistan Supreme Court in 2013 about the spy company’s curiosity in fuelling unrest in India’s Northeast. The truth that every one the 5 arrested are members of the minority neighborhood and linked to the Muslim-dominated districts of Morigaon and Nagaon can’t be a mere coincidence. In March final yr, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had stated that Muslims account for 35 p.c of the whole inhabitants of the state and may now not be known as a minority neighborhood. The chief minister had additionally expressed concern that Assam was changing into a hotbed of Islamic fundamentalism.
Why it’s worrying
In December 2007, the arrest of an ISI operative, who was additionally a member of Jamaat-e-Islami, Chhatra Shibir (of Bangladesh) and Harkat-ul-Mujahideen from Guwahati had despatched shockwaves indicating the help ISI was offering to militant outfits in India’s Northeast. The Border Security Force (BSF) on many events acknowledged that the ISI was actively coordinating with insurgents in the Northeast.
On December 24, 2022, CM Sarma knowledgeable the Assam Assembly that 53 suspected jihadis together with one from Bangladesh have been arrested since March 2022. Sarma advised the Assembly that locations like Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Morigaon, Dhubri, Goalpara, Tamulpur and Nalbari had turn into “hubs of fundamentalist forces.” In October final yr, the Assam Police arrested 4 people for alleged hyperlinks with Bangladesh-based terror organisation Ansarullah Bangla Team and Al-Qaeda in the Indian subcontinent.
Sensitive army installations in Assam
The rising incidence of silent terror actions by Islamic extremist teams, regardless of their affiliations, poses a big menace to the nationwide safety of India. Assam is a strategically vital state in Northeast India, having a quantity of army installations that play a vital position in making certain the safety and stability of the area, notably in gentle of the state’s proximity to neighbouring international locations akin to China, Bhutan and Bangladesh. Some of the important army stations in Assam embody Tezpur and Chabua Air Force Stations, which home Sukhoi squadrons, Kumbhirgram Air Force Station in Silchar, IV Corps and 51 Mountain Division in Tezpur, 2 Mountain Division at Dinjan in Dibrugarh district, 41 Artillery Brigade at Narangi in Guwahati, and Missamari army station, which is dwelling to the Light Combat Helicopter Prachand.
Uncertainty at LAC
Last December, the unstable scenario alongside the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Eastern sector of Arunachal Pradesh was as soon as once more dropped at the forefront attributable to a conflict between Indian and Chinese troops close to Yangtse in the Tawang sector. The Indian Army launched a press release – “On December 9, PLA troops contacted the LAC in Tawang sector which was contested by own (Indian) troops in a firm and resolute manner. This face-off led to minor injuries to few personnel from both sides. Both sides immediately disengaged from the area. As a follow up of the incident, (Indian) commander in the area held a flag meeting with his counterpart to discuss the issue in accordance with structured mechanisms to restore peace and tranquillity. In certain areas along the LAC in the Tawang sector, there are areas of differing perception, wherein both sides patrol the area up to their claim lines. This has been the trend since 2006.”
The point out of “areas of differing perception” in the army word holds nice significance as they signify weak factors the place additional skirmishes might happen. In truth, tensions had additionally escalated between the troops of each nations in October final yr, which was resolved domestically with out the use of power.
The precarious scenario alongside the LAC is obvious from the indisputable fact that in February, US Senators Jeff Markley and Bill Haggerty, together with co-sponsor John Cornyn, launched a decision in the Senate reaffirming the state of Arunachal Pradesh as an “integral part of India” and expressing help for India’s “sovereignty and territorial integrity.” The decision additionally denounced China for its “use of military force” to change the established order at the LAC.
It isn’t any secret that the intelligence-sharing settlement between Pakistan and China has solely strengthened over time. Any intelligence collected by the ISI in Assam or the whole Northeast area will undoubtedly be shared with China, given Beijing’s clear expansionist intentions, irrespective of how a lot it tries to hide them. Geographically remoted from the Indian mainland and dealing with twin threats from an aggressive international army, on its northern borders, and rising inner risks posed by covert jihadi operations aided by the ISI, India’s Northeast finds itself at a crossroads in addressing a grave existential disaster.
The hidden agenda of ISI
That the goal of the ISI is past the army is sort of apparent.
“Assam is geographically far away from Pakistan, but the ISI is still trying to find loopholes to exploit it. They are undoubtedly gathering a database of people who are anti-Hindu or are uncomfortable calling themselves Hindus. They are also quietly scanning for black sheep among nationalists who can be used for their agenda. Transferring funds through hawala is already happening. The ISI is undoubtedly trying to create an atmosphere of civil disobedience. The protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) is an obvious example. Why are there so many protests? The only attempt is to weaken nationalism,” stated Raktim Patar, assistant professor in History from Gargaon College in Assam.
The regarding concern is that the ISI is extending its attain to all potential areas in Assam, and people with Jihadist inclinations are readily offering the international intelligence company with alternatives.
“They are definitely hiding in various nooks and corners of Assam, assuming various disguises and identities. Whatever arrests were made recently is just the tip of the iceberg. Although at face value, there is a difference between an ISI agent and a Jihadi fundamentalist, in reality, they are directly connected. Only a Jihadi will share sensitive information with a foreign espionage agency like ISI. It is offering a platform to those with a Jihadi mindset in Assam. ISI is not for direct conflict but seeking to make Assam and the entire Northeast India a terror-hit region by trying to terrorise organizations like the Jaish-e-Mohammad or the Lashkar-e-Taiba just like in the Kashmir Valley. They are financing, motivating vulnerable minds, and distributing Jihadi literature to fuel this whole mission,” the faculty professor stated.
For centuries, efforts to Islamise Northeast India have endured, with Assam providing a handy entry level, given its burgeoning Muslim inhabitants of disputed heritage. The ISI is in search of to capitalise on this ongoing pattern by any means potential. The proximity of Assam to Bangladesh presents the ISI with a primary alternative to additional its malevolent agenda.
“The roots of Islamic fundamentalists in Assam are very deep. Attempts to Islamise the Brahmaputra Valley have been ongoing since the 13th century and this is part of a larger agenda. Until 1681, they consistently tried, after which direct invasions stopped, but silent ones always continued. Blaming the British is only an excuse. Their aim is to Islamise Southeast Asia, and the attempt is still ongoing. All anti-India forces are part of it because, if you notice, those who are caught are not Pakistanis but Pakistani agents. Their aim is to create Jihadis here. These people are trying to create a Jihadi base in Assam,” the historical past professor stated.
What is unhappy and alarming is a piece of politicians are utterly backing this fundamentalist outlook by overt and covert means.
“There are a set of politicians who will put the blame on the eviction of those occupying government lands illegally, which led to the fuelling of Jihadi mindsets. This is nothing but an eyewash. Gaining political advantage is also a hidden agenda for purposes like protecting Jihadis, protecting illegal occupants of the land, and thwarting attempts to control population explosion among the largest religious minority. They are trying to create a platform for deliberate denial so that rampant Islamisation continues. Serious verification is needed from documents to SIM cardholders or else consequences will be severe if we cannot stem it immediately. It is a dual threat to our culture and country,” stated Patar.
A grim actuality
The apprehension of ISI brokers by Indian businesses is a transparent indication of their resolute efforts to fight the problem at hand. However, it’s disheartening to notice that this can be a covert battle with no rapid finish in sight a minimum of for now.
Read all the Latest Opinions right here
