The recent arrest of 11 suspected jihadi operatives in Assam has unveiled a purported conspiracy linked to Imam Mahmudur Kafia (IMK), regarded as an extension of the banned Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB). Law enforcement officials reported that IMK was actively seeking to incite jihad and execute terrorist operations in Assam and Tripura. Some detainees had traveled to Bangladesh for indoctrination and training. Investigative efforts highlighted that in late 2024, an arrested suspect, Nasim Uddin alias Tamim, encountered a YouTube channel advocating the notion of “Muzaddid,” which in Islamic tradition refers to a religious reformer expected every century to protect the Muslim community. The channel asserted that such a figure had emerged to further Islamic teachings, identifying himself as Imam Mahmud.
Tamim’s search for the channel’s owner led him to a Telegram account, maintained by an individual named Khalid, who disseminated various religious texts and messages in PDF. Further exploration disclosed that Khalid was operating under the guidance of Umar, Sujan Bin Sultan, and Shamim Barah from Bangladesh, alongside Mir Rahman from West Bengal and Jagir Miah from Agartala. The group founded by Khalid, named “Purva Akash,” initially placed him in the role of administrator before transferring leadership to Tamim. Within this Telegram group, messages endorsing the “Ghazwatul Hind” narrative circulated, suggesting a call to arms against India on account of Imam Mahmud’s arrival as the awaited Mujaddid. Khalid purportedly utilized religious texts to substantiate this claim, although investigations revealed these texts to be counterfeit. Authorities contend that IMK is engaged in promoting radical ideologies, with an agenda aimed at establishing Muslim dominion in India through violent means. The inquiry into this network and their international connections remains ongoing.