India

Six Arrested in Assam for Alleged Fraud Ring Tied to Pakistan Operatives

By Biswa Kalyan Purkayastha

Assam police announced that the Special Task Force (STF) arrested six individuals in Guwahati on Monday for their alleged role in an organised financial fraud network linked to Pakistan intelligence operatives. The investigation was initiated after intelligence from Gajraj Military Intelligence (MI) and a complaint filed in Sonitpur district last month. The STF found that a bank account belonging to 28‑year‑old Marjina Begum of Guwahati received large sums between June 22 and August 5, 2026, with the money withdrawn almost immediately after each deposit, indicating a suspicious pattern. The investigation also revealed the involvement of 22‑year‑old Mofijul Haque and 19‑year‑old Himangshu Das, both residents of Guwahati, in transactions linked to Marjina’s account. Preliminary findings suggested a connection to a Pakistan intelligence operative, prompting further investigation.

The STF launched an operation on October 28, arresting Marjina, Mofijul and Himangshu. Mobile phones and incriminating documents were recovered. During interrogation, Mofijul and Himangshu reportedly named several other persons involved in the racket. Acting on this information, the STF arrested three additional individuals in subsequent operations: 34‑year‑old Rakib Hussain of Ganesh Bagar (arrested October 29), 25‑year‑old Iftar Hussain of Uzanbazar (arrested October 30), and 20‑year‑old Arman Aziz Hoque of Ananda Bagar (arrested October 30). All three are residents of Guwahati.

The STF seized mobile phones, laptops, electronic gadgets, bank passbooks, ATM cards and other documents during the operations, assisted by Guwahati City Police. The investigation indicates that the fraud syndicate operated across different parts of the country for approximately two years, using multiple mule bank accounts to facilitate fraudulent transactions and defrauding victims of several crores of rupees. The suspected mastermind is believed to be coordinating the activities from outside Assam.

The STF continues to investigate to identify and arrest remaining members, trace the movement of the fraudulent funds, and uncover additional mule bank accounts. The agency is also examining the extent of the racket’s links with Pakistan‑based intelligence operatives and whether other anti‑national elements were involved.

These arrests come weeks after a separate espionage‑related case in Assam. On October 4, the STF arrested a Bihar resident and a retired Indian Army personnel in Guwahati for allegedly sharing information about Army movements with a Pakistan intelligence operative. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma revealed the retired Army personnel’s arrest at a press conference, stating that the individual had been working with the Army on a contractual basis after retirement. Sarma said both accused had been honey‑trapped by a Pakistani operative through an online platform. The Bihar resident, identified as Abhishek Kumar Singh (31), was arrested from a rented house in Gandhinagar under Satgaon police station during an operation on the night of October 3 and 4. On October 5, the STF arrested another Bihar resident, Ritesh Kumar Singh (39), from the same rented house. Police said both were allegedly involved in espionage‑related activities, including passing secret information concerning security forces to the Pakistani operative. The identity of the retired Army personnel was not made public.