Bengal areas under intelligence surveillance after three JMB activists arrested

IANS May 11, 2025 454 views

West Bengal has intensified intelligence surveillance following the arrest of three Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) activists in recent days. Special focus is being placed on minority-dominated districts along the Bangladesh border, particularly Murshidabad, Malda, Birbhum, and South 24 Parganas. The arrests have triggered a comprehensive review of potential terrorist sleeper cell networks in these regions. Intelligence agencies are tracking multiple fundamentalist groups, including JMB, Hizb-ut-Tahrir, and Ansarullah Bangla Team, to prevent potential security threats.

"Intelligence agencies have increased monitoring in minority-dominated border districts" - Unnamed Security Source
Kolkata, May 11: After the arrest of three Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) activists in West Bengal in the last two days, the intelligence agencies, both central and state, have increased surveillance in pockets that have records of the presence of sleeper cells of various fundamentalist and terrorist groups.

Key Points

1

Three JMB terrorists arrested in strategic West Bengal locations

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Border districts under intense surveillance

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Intelligence tracking potential fundamentalist cell activities

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Heightened security measures in Murshidabad and Malda regions

Sources aware of the development said that these pockets have been kept under special surveillance, including those districts that share International Borders with Bangladesh, with additional focus on the two minority-dominated Murshidabad and Malda.

The sources added that apart from that, certain other minority-dominated pockets in districts like Birbhum, East Burdwan, and Hooghly districts have also been brought under this special surveillance.

Of the three JMB associates who were arrested by the sleuths of the special task force (STF) of West Bengal, two, namely Aazmal Hossain and Saheb Ali Khan, were arrested on Friday from Nalhati in Birbhum district, and both were residents of the same district. On interrogating them, the investigating officials came to know of their associate, Abasuddin Molla, who was arrested on Saturday from his residence at Patra village under Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.

Similarly, some pockets in East Burdwan district, especially the minority-dominated ones, have been kept under surveillance following a blast at Khagragarh in the same district in October 2014. The police seized 55 improvised explosive devices, RDX, wrist watch dials, and SIM cards from that house. Investigation revealed that JMB was the mastermind behind assembling huge explosives at that house.

Investigation further revealed the presence of JMB sleeper cells at Khagragarh and its adjacent pockets. Of the 19 people convicted in the case, four were Bangladeshi residents and hardcore activists.

Similarly, during the last few years, there have been several instances of arrests of several sleeper cell members of different fundamentalist and terrorist groups in minority-dominated pockets in the Hooghly district, following which these pockets have also been brought under special surveillance.

Recently, after the Union Home Ministry received information from intelligence agencies about the alleged role of illegal Bangladeshi intruders behind the violence and vandalism in the minority-dominated Murshidabad district during protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act.

The names of three Bangladesh-based fundamentalist groups, namely JMB, Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HUT), and Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), surfaced then.

Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
This is concerning but necessary. Our agencies must stay vigilant, especially in border areas. Bangladesh has been a source of illegal infiltration for years, and it's high time we secure our borders properly. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
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Priya M.
While security is important, I hope surveillance is done respectfully without harassing common people. Many innocent families live in these areas just trying to make ends meet. Balance is key!
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Amit S.
The 2014 Khagragarh blast case shows how deep this problem runs. We need stronger coordination between state and central agencies. Also, why is Bangladesh not taking responsibility for these extremist groups? 🤔
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Sunita R.
As a Bengali, this makes me sad. Our beautiful state shouldn't be a hub for such activities. Requesting all communities to cooperate with authorities - safety benefits everyone. ❤️
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Vikram J.
The government should also focus on rehabilitation programs in these areas. Poverty and lack of opportunities make youth vulnerable to radicalization. Security + development is the real solution.
N
Neha P.
Media should report responsibly without creating panic. Such news can lead to unnecessary fear and profiling. The agencies are doing their job, let's trust the process.

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Tags:
JMB Terrorism West Bengal Border Security Intelligence Surveillance Bangladeshi Militants