Al-Qaeda operatives were among the 1,024 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants apprehended in Gujarat in a major crackdown by the state police. The operation, launched in response to the recent terror attack in Kashmir, saw 890 illegal immigrants being arrested in Ahmedabad and 134 in Surat in a single night.
State authorities confirmed that four individuals detained had links to criminal activities, with two suspected of being operatives in Al-Qaeda sleeper cells. Gujarat’s Director General of Police, Vikas Sahay, stated that the suspects are currently undergoing interrogation at the Joint Interrogation Centre.
The aim of the crackdown was to prevent illegal infiltration that could pose security risks. Minister of State for Home Affairs, Harsh Sanghavi, instructed police officials from various districts to intensify operations and closely monitor illegal residents. He also issued a warning to illegal Bangladeshi nationals to voluntarily surrender at local police stations within two days or face strict action. Authorities have been directed to take action against those harboring illegal immigrants as well.
Police investigations revealed that many of the arrested individuals had been living in Gujarat and other states using fake documents allegedly obtained from Bengal. Efforts to dismantle the fake document networks are currently ongoing.
After completing the necessary legal procedures, all illegal residents will be deported to Bangladesh. The ongoing probe is also focusing on uncovering any potential terror links, particularly those related to the two individuals suspected of working for Al-Qaeda.
Gujarat Police stated that similar operations will be conducted to safeguard state security in the future.
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