Assam STF crackdown on terrorists; 254 ops, 59 kg narcotics seized, 482 held

New Delhi, January 7

The Special Task Force (STF) of Assam has arrested 21 terrorists and also seized over 59 kg of narcotic drugs between since March 2023 and December 2024. 

Speaking about the force's operations, Assam Police's Special DGP Harmeet Singh told media that under the direction of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, we revived the STF led by DGP GP Singh, with Inspector General Partha Sarathi Mahanta.

The Assam STF issued a press statement mentioning about the force's work. It said that the arrested terrorists included members of Islamic extremist groups such as ISIS, ULFA members and Maoist outfits.

In operations against drugs and narcotics, 59.41 kgs of heroin, 9,67,898 psychotropic tablets, 37,000 bottles of banned phensedyl cough syrup, 4,0000 kgs of ganja, 37.26 kgs of opium and one kg of methamphetamine were also seized during the period.

The STF also recovered four rifles, one 7.65 mm pistol, 31 rounds of ammunitions, one round of AK-series ammunition, 17 bullet pellets, a grenade with explosives, materials used for making IEDs, along with several other arms and ammunitions.

In operations against smugglers, 1.10 kgs of pure gold and 20.37 kgs of fake yellow metal were also recovered during the period. The force recovered over 20 kg of ivory and rhino horns and seized counterfeit currency totalling Rs. 63.88 lakh. In another operation, the STF confiscated over 57,000 kg of Burmese super and 2.2 lakh packets of tobacco, imposing a Rs. 5.71 crore tax penalty on illegal traders involved in these smuggling rings.

The STF seized 134 vehicles and 361 mobile phones during operations. It also made 18 arrests of infiltrators and touts, including individuals from Bangladesh and Myanmar, Singh said.

Altogether 254 operations were carried out while 137 people were arrested and 111 cases were registered by the STF during the same period. Arrests have also increased, to 482 in the recent period, compared to far fewer in previous years, the statement added. 

Special DGP Harmeet Singh stated that the scale and scope of STF operations are growing, as we confront an increasingly complex criminal landscape.With its expanded mandate, the STF is playing a crucial role in ensuring the safety and security of Assam’s citizens, as it adapts to meet the challenges posed by both local and international criminal networks.