West Bengal: Two terrorists associated with Al-Qaeda arrested, were making children suicide bombers

The Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal Police on Monday arrested two suspected terrorists belonging to Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) from Murshidabad district. The arrested persons have been identified as Sajibul Islam (24) and Mustaqim Mondal (26). ABT is a banned terrorist organization inspired by Al-Qaeda.

The action comes after the arrest of Minarul Shaikh and Mohammad Abbas, who were involved in teaching radical ideology to children and turning them into suicide bombers.

Conspiracy to make children suicide bombers

Police revealed that Minarul and Abbas were recruiting 12 to 16 year old children in local madrassas to radicalize them.

• Mission:
  These children were being trained for suicide attacks.
• Plan:
  There was a conspiracy to create a network of 30 suicide bombers in Murshidabad, Nadia, Uttar Dinajpur, and Alipurduar.
• Type of Training:
  Children were being given terrorist training in madrassas by showing videos on LED screens.

Conspiracy and leaders of ABT

Police investigation revealed that this network was being operated by Aamir and Jasimuddin, leaders of the Bengal branch of ABT.

• Aamir and Jasimuddin were responsible for influencing children with radical ideology and training them in terrorism.

political war broke out

This matter has also heated up the politics of West Bengal.

• TMC’s allegation:
  Trinamool Congress (TMC) targeted the central government, saying that it has failed to ensure the security of the state’s borders.
  • TMC statement:
    “Terrorists are infiltrating into Bengal due to lack of security on the border.”
• BJP’s counterattack:
  The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hit back, saying the TMC government had turned Bengal into a “paradise” for terrorists.
  • BJP’s allegation:
    “The ruling party in the state has failed to take action against the terrorists.”

Introduction to Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT)

Ansarullah Bangla Team is a banned Islamic terrorist organization operating in Bangladesh.

• Establishment:
  In 2007 for promoting the ideology of al-Qaeda.
• Objective:
  Enforcing Islamic law (Sharia) in South Asia.
• major event:
  It came into international limelight after the murder of American blogger Avijit Roy in 2015.
• Major Activity:
  Radicalizing the youth and inspiring them to commit violent activities.
• challenge:
  Despite the ban on the organization, it is trying to continue its activities secretly.

Police investigation and possible revelations

STF has intensified investigation to dismantle the network of ABT in Murshidabad and surrounding districts.

• Police statement:
  Interrogation of the arrested accused is continuing. More big revelations are likely to happen in the coming days.