Man arrested in Kasaragod operated as terror sleeper cell, plotted assassination of Hindu leaders

Police investigations have revealed that the man who was arrested from Padannakad in Kasaragod is a Bangladeshi national who was operating as a sleeper cell member for the Ansarullah Bangla extremist group.

The accused, identified as MB Shab Sheikh, was arrested by the Assam Special Task Force (STF) in connection with a recent insurgency-related incident in Assam, and a case was registered against him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Investigations have revealed that he was reportedly plotting the assassination of Hindu leaders in India and had been active in Kasaragod since 2018. He entered India under the guise of a construction worker using fake documents. The investigation also uncovered that he opened a bank account with forged papers, and authorities are probing those who assisted him, sources said.

Shab Sheikh has reportedly been linked to several bomb blast cases in Assam. His extremist organization allegedly sent him to India to establish sleeper cells and promote terror activities.

In related operations, the Assam STF arrested five individuals from Assam and two from West Bengal, all suspected of planning attacks on Hindu leaders.