GUWAHATI: In a major track down against terrorism, the head of ISIS in India, along with one of his top associates, were arrested in Assam’s Dhubri district on Wednesday evening.
The arrests, that were carried out by the Special Task Force (STF) in the Dharamsala area of the district, came after receiving a crucial tip-off. The individuals have been identified as Haris Farooqi and his associate, Rehan.
The duo, who are facing multiple pending cases with agencies such as the NIA in Delhi and ATS in Lucknow, has been transferred to Guwahati by the STF Assam for further legal proceedings.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Thursday, praised the Assam Police for their role in the arrests and stressed the importance of continuing the fight against terrorism and fundamentalism. The apprehension of Farooqi and Rehan underscores the ongoing national effort to combat violent extremism and maintain security across the country.
Highlighting the collaborative effort in countering terrorism, Director General of Police (DGP) GP Singh hailed the operation as a result of “inter-agency synergy,” commending the officers involved.
Earlier, the Assam Police had informed that Farooqi, also known as Harish Ajmal Farukhi from Chakrata, Dehradun, is the mastermind behind ISIS operations in India.
His associate, Anurag Singh, alias Rehan, hails from Panipat and has converted to Islam, has a Bangladesh national as wife.
Describing Farooqi and Rehan as “highly indoctrinated” and “motivated” leaders of the terrorist organisation, police revealed their involvement in various activities aimed at advancing ISIS’s agenda in India.
These activities reportedly included recruitment drives, terror funding, and planning IED blasts across the country.
