On December 29 and 30, 2025, the Assam Police’s Special Task Force (STF), in coordination with central intelligence agencies, executed a decisive counter-terrorism operation codenamed “Operation Praghat.” The mission targeted a burgeoning terror cell linked to Imam Mahmuder Kafila (IMK), a Bangladesh-based offshoot of the banned Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB).
The raids were conducted across four districts in Assam – Barpeta, Baksa, Chirang, and Darrang – as well as West Tripura. A total of 11 individuals were apprehended, including the primary head of the Assam module.
The Ideology: Reviving the Vision of “Ghazwatul Hind”
The IMK module is built upon the radical ideology of “Ghazwatul Hind,” which propagates a prophesied Islamic conquest of Bharat. Founded in 2018 by Jewel Mahmud (alias Imam Mahmud Habibullah), the group seeks to establish a transnational jihadi network.
According to STF Chief Partha Sarathi Mahanta, the module’s activities accelerated significantly following the August 2024 regime change in Bangladesh. The subsequent political instability reportedly emboldened leaders of the JMB, Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), and Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) to direct IMK leadership to activate sleeper cells within Indian borders.
Digital Jihad: The “Purva Akash” Network
The investigation revealed that the group utilized modern, secretive methods for recruitment and funding.
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Encrypted Communication: The primary platform for recruitment and coordination was an encrypted social media group titled ‘Purva Akash’(meaning ‘Eastern Sky’).
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Radical Literature: The leadership systematically circulated texts such as ‘Sarbobhoumo Khamatar Malik Allah’ and ‘Ghazwatul Hind er Sonkhipto Alochona’ to indoctrinate youth.
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Cross-Border Movement: Operatives were discovered to have traveled to Bangladesh on valid passports to meet top leaders and record “bayat” (oaths of allegiance) via video.
Recruitment for Terrorism and Mobilization
Since December 2024, the group had begun using local religious gatherings and secret meetings in mosques to advocate for violence. In a significant meeting in Barpeta on December 28, 2024, ideologues and leaders openly discussed the launch of terrorism in India. These clandestine gatherings were designed to prepare local youth for violent acts and to mobilize funds through informal hawala and UPI networks.
| Role | Name | Details |
| Amir (Leader) | Jewel Mahmud | Based in Bangladesh; former JMB member. |
| Assam Cell Head | Nasim Uddin (Tamim) | Resident of Barpeta Road; coordinated recruitment for terrorism. |
| Bangladeshi Handlers | Umar and Khalid | Assigned to coordinate Assam-based operations. |
| Arrest Locations | Assam & Tripura | 10 arrested in Assam districts; 1 in West Tripura. |
Cross-Border Infiltration and Training
The threat remains critical due to the ease of cross-border movement. Several arrested operatives possessed valid Indian passports and had traveled to Bangladesh under the guise of legal visits to receive training in terrorism, including bomb-making and weapons handling. In April 2025, operatives from Assam even met their handlers in the border regions of Meghalaya to finalize their expansion plans.
Need For Vigilance
The dismantling of the IMK module is a major success for national security. Yet it underscores the vulnerabilities created by demographic engineering and illegal infiltration. While radical ideologies like “Ghazwatul Hind” seek to destabilize the region through Terrorism and violent acts, the state’s response must remain firm and proactive.
Protecting our borders today requires more than just military vigilance; it requires a collective commitment to our civilizational roots. When we stand unified in our identity, we ensure that the roadmap of conquest is resisted.
