Bihar on High Alert as Three Suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed Terrorists Enter via Nepal Border

New Delhi (India) August 28: A statewide high alert was issued by the Bihar Police Headquarters on Thursday. This is in response to intelligence reports regarding the entry of terrorists from Pakistan in the state. Three alleged members of the terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed entered Bihar via the Nepal border. 

Suspects identified as Pakistani nationals entering from Kathmandu into Bihar

According to the Bihar Police, the suspects are Hasnain Ali from Rawalpindi, Adil Hussain from Umerkot and Muhammad Usman from Bahawalpur. According to intelligence reports, they entered Bihar last week. This is after they arrived in Kathmandu during the second week of August.

Police in border districts have received information about suspects' passports from the headquarters. Security organizations have been directed to gather intelligence and conduct more surveillance. On the basis of suspicious activity, district intelligence units have been instructed to take the required action.

Security tightened in border districts

Security is strengthened in Bihar along the Indo-Nepal border and Seemanchal districts in May. This is after Operation Sindoor and the upcoming Assembly elections later this year. In the border regions of Madhubani, Sitamarhi, Supaul, Araria, and the districts of East and West Champaran, patrolling has increased.

The alert comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's strong stand against terrorism after the Pahalgam attack on April 22.

On May 7, the Indian military launched Operation Sindoor. They targeted several terror camps in Pakistan connected to Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Jaish-e-Mohammed. This is in response to cross-border connections to that incident.

Law enforcement agencies are on high alert in sensitive districts as Bihar approaches the polls. The coordination with border forces and central agencies has increased.

The public has been urged by officials to exercise caution. They are also asked to report any unusual activity right away.

Senior police officials have been informed of the situation. All district intelligence units have been instructed to step up monitoring, gather field information, and take swift action in response to any suspicious activity.

Fears rise that Bihar may be used as an entry point

Authorities worry that the suspected terrorists might be preparing to use Bihar as a point of entry for a major attack that will take place somewhere in the nation.

The border between India and Nepal is currently seen by intelligence services as vulnerable. There are more than 3,000 Pakistanis living in Nepal on tourist visas. Several of them are allegedly engaged in anti-Indian activities. These routes are used by many Pakistani terrorists to enter Nepal illegally before trying to enter India through Bihar. 

Bihar has always been a major point for cross-border travel and infiltration. It is because it shares an open border with Nepal of about 729 kilometers. This open border runs straight across seven districts in the state. This makes ongoing security enforcement and surveillance extremely difficult.