Author: Sumanta Ray Chaudhuri
Publication: DNA (Daily News & Analysis)
Date: August 1, 2008
URL: http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1181019
Underground Islamic fundamentalist terrorist
groups have extended their network in several Bengal districts along Indo-Bangladesh
border under the garb of frontal welfare organisations, a Bengal police report
says.
The most alarming of such networks is by Lashkar-e-Toiba,
which over the past couple of years, has extended their network through the
frontal welfare organisation, Ahl-e-Hadis.
A confidential study by the intelligence branch
of the state police reveals that over the years, these frontal organisations
have gained substantial popularity among the local populace through their
development activities in the region.
According to IB sources, the local police
and the undercover sleuths never suspected them because these groups avoided
all religious talks.
"Their real face was uncovered after
we recently arrested two Lashkar persons from Murshidabad district, who were
part of the Ahl-e-Hadis. Investigations revealed that this frontal organisation
is also operating in a similar manner in Bangladesh for the past few years,"
a senior IB official said.
The IB also recovered from them several incriminating
documents including maps of some vital defence installations.
The investigators say further interrogations
of the two Lashkar militants may provide some vital clues to the recent blasts
at Bangalore and Ahmedabad. "One thing was clear during their interrogation
that besides travelling to Bangladesh, the two suspects often frequented Mumbai
and Ahmedabad," the IB official said.
They further pointed out that unlike Harkat-ul-Jihadi-Islami
(Huji), the Lashkar under the garb of Ahl-e-Hadis never made an attempt to
expand its network to all the Indo-Bangladesh bordering districts of Bengal.
"They only concentrated in Murshidabad and Maldah districts because of
the sheer multi-connectivity advantages these two districts enjoy over other
bordering districts," the IB official said.
He said that unlike any Bengal district along
Bangladesh border, Maldah and Murshidabad provide easy access to Bangladesh
and Nepal.
"At the same time, from both these districts,
one can easily move out to Bengal's neighbouring state of Jharkhand. Also,
Murshidabad and Maldah are the only two Indo-Bangladesh bordering districts
of Bengal, which have direct railways connectivity to major stations of Howrah
and Sealdah," he said.
