Bihar is in alert mode to prevent any terror attack following intelligence reports that three terrorists from Pakistan have entered the State through Nepal. They belong to proscribed terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). The State police has issued their names and photographs.
The suspects have been identified as Hasnain Ali from Rawalpindi, Adil Hussain from Umerkot and Mohammad Usman from Bahawalpur, as per information shared by the Bihar Police and it has sounded State-wide alert. The trio reportedly reached Bihar via Nepal through Araria.
East Champaran district police on Thursday released the photographs of all three Pakistani nationals and announced a reward of Rs 50,000 each for providing credible information leading to their arrest.
“Anyone who helps the police apprehend three Pakistani nationals will get cash rewards. A cash reward of Rs 50,000 each has been announced for providing information leading to the arrests of these three Pakistani nationals. People can provide information to the police on phone numbers — 112 or 9431822988 and 9031827100”, SP East Champaran, Swarn Prabhat said.
Bihar DGP Vinay Kumar said on Thursday “Yes, a general alert has been sounded across the State. All district police and several other wings of the Bihar Police have been directed to maintain a close watch and extraordinary vigil to thwart any attempt by anti-national elements by intensifying area domination patrolling and search operations. Security has already been heightened in the state.”
When specifically asked about the inputs suggesting three terrorists from Pakistan have entered the State through Nepal, the DGP said, “I can only say that a general alert has been sounded across the state”. He refused to divulge more details about the alert.
Security, meanwhile, was strengthened at all places where footfall of tourists was high, like Mahabodhi Temple Complex (Bodh Gaya), Viswa Shanti Stupa (Rajgir), Mahaveer temple and Takhat Sri Harimandir Ji, Patna Sahib (Patna). Besides, security was also enhanced at all airports in the state.
Intelligence reports suggested the suspects had reached Kathmandu in the second week of August and entered Bihar last week. The headquarters has shared passport-related details of the suspects with police in border districts.
Security agencies were instructed to increase surveillance and collect intelligence. District intelligence units have been asked to take the necessary action based on any suspicious activity.
Bihar shares approximately 729-kilometres of open border with Nepal and has long made it a key hotspot for infiltration and cross-border movement. Seven districts in the State lie directly along this porous frontier, posing major challenges for continuous surveillance and security enforcement.