GUWAHATI, Aug 26: The Special Task Force (STF) of Assam Police has arrested an alleged operative of the Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) from Hailakandi district, officials said on Wednesday.
The 21-year-old suspect was arrested from the Ramnathpur area during a joint operation conducted by the STF and Hailakandi Police.
Officials said the arrest followed leads developed during the investigation into the earlier detention of three alleged SBN operatives from Dhubri, Chirang and Barpeta districts on July 25.
Several documents were recovered from the accused during the operation, which forms part of the STF's ongoing investigation into extremist and anti-national networks operating in the State.
According to a government statement, the Shahzad Bhatti Network is a Pakistan-based terror syndicate allegedly linked to grenade, IED and petrol bomb attacks as well as targeted killings in different parts of India.
The statement further alleged that the network has been paying local associates to conduct reconnaissance of police, defence and religious sites and install CCTV cameras for espionage purposes.
The STF said its investigation and action against the network and its alleged operatives would continue.
