NIA Raids 16 Locations Across Assam, West Bengal and Kerala Over Cross-Border Terror Conspiracy; 6 Detained in Barpeta

All six detained were previously out on bail after earlier arrests by Assam Police's Special Task Force

September 29, 2026

From JMB to IMK: Mapping the Terror Network NIA Is Targeting

Cross-Border Terror Conspiracy: NIA Nets Six in Coordinated Assam Raids

The National Investigation Agency carried out coordinated searches at 16 locations across Assam, West Bengal and Kerala on Tuesday in connection with a cross-border terror conspiracy case, detaining six people from Assam’s Barpeta district over alleged links to a Bangladesh-based radical outfit.

Of the 16 locations searched, 10 were in Assam, five in West Bengal and one in Kerala. In Barpeta district, NIA teams conducted simultaneous operations across Barpeta Road town, the Azad Nagar and Nichuka areas, and Howly and Sorbhog, with searches beginning as early as 2 am at some residences.

Who was detained

The six detained have been identified as Mustafizur Rahman and Yakub Ali from Barpeta Road/Nichuka; Rakibul Islam from Howly; and Zakir Hussain, Sanbar Ali (also reported as Chandbar Ali) and Faruk Abdulla from Sorbhog’s Bogoriguri Pathar area. Electronic devices, mobile phones and documents were seized during the searches. Reports differ on whether the six were formally “detained” for questioning or “arrested,” and the NIA had not confirmed their status as of the time of these reports.

The IMK network

The case centres on Imam Mahmuder Kafila (IMK), which investigators describe as an offshoot of the banned Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB). According to the NIA, senior JMB member Imam Mahmud Habibullah had established IMK to advance the banned outfit’s agenda on Indian soil, with the Bangladesh-based network allegedly working to expand radical ideology into West Bengal and northeastern states including Assam and Tripura. Investigators have separately named Nasimuddin as having led IMK’s activities in Assam and Jagir Mia as having led the outfit in Tripura. One of those detained, Rakibul Islam, has reportedly been linked by investigators to a Telegram group called “Purba Akash.”

A network already under scrutiny

Tuesday’s action follows earlier enforcement against the same network. Assam Police’s Special Task Force had busted an IMK module in December 2025, arresting ten suspects from lower Assam and one from Tripura’s Hailakandi district. Mustafizur Rahman — who runs a clothing store in Barpeta Road — was among those arrested by the STF in March this year and had been out on bail for roughly two months before Tuesday’s fresh NIA action. The NIA had already filed a chargesheet against 11 accused in a related conspiracy case before the NIA Special Court in Guwahati on June 26, under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

The investigation into Tuesday’s searches, and whether further arrests or charges will follow, remains ongoing.

For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.