Terror Alert In Bihar: 3 Pakistani Terrorists Enter State Via Nepal; Names, Pictures Released
Bihar Police headquarters has circulated names and photographs of the suspects (image courtesy: X.com/@motihari_police)
Last week, while speaking a rally in Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a stern warning to terrorists, saying Operation Sindoor was “a pledge I took on the soil of Bihar”. “Now, the message is loud and clear that no terrorist can escape after striking anywhere on Indian soil.”
Just a few days after the prime minister’s message, a high-security alert has been sounded across Bihar after intelligence inputs suggested that three Pakistani terrorists may have slipped into the state through Nepal. The state shares a 729 km long border with the neighbouring country, the longest stretch of any state.
Bihar Police headquarters has circulated names and photographs of the suspects, who have been identified as Hasnain of Rawalpindi, Adil of Umerkot, and Usman of Bahawalpur. All are members of the banned terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). They are believed to have entered Bihar via the porous border in Araria district.
General Alert in Bihar: What did the DGP say?
Director General of Police Vinay Kumar, while speaking to news agency PTI, acknowledged that a “general alert” had been issued statewide. “All district police and several other wings of the Bihar Police have been directed to maintain a close watch and extraordinary vigil. Area domination, patrolling, and search operations are being intensified,” he said.
When pressed on reports that three Pakistani terrorists were involved, the DGP declined to provide specifics. “I can only say that a general alert has been sounded across the state,” he remarked, refusing to elaborate further.
A reward of Rs 50,000 has also been announced for information leading to their capture.
Why the timing matters?
Worth mentioning here is that the alert in Bihar comes amid Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s ongoing ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’, which has traversed several districts along the frontier. On Thursday (August 28), Gandhi was seen seated in a closed vehicle, contrary to an open jeep in which he had been greeting supporters till now.
The Congress leader’s roadshow in Sitamarhi was cancelled at the last moment.
Where has the security been increased?
The alert has triggered stepped-up security at airports, religious sites, and major tourist hubs. Extra deployment has been ordered at Bodh Gaya’s Mahabodhi Temple Complex, Rajgir’s Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Patna’s Mahaveer Mandir, and Takhat Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib, among other high-footfall zones.
Security has also been reinforced at airports and vital state institutions amid concerns that the suspects may attempt to target sensitive locations.
Bihar’s vulnerable border with Nepal
The state’s long, porous boundary with Nepal has long been flagged as a security challenge, offering an easy passage for infiltrators. Officials suspect that the trio used this route before dispersing inside Bihar.
The development comes at a time when security agencies across India are on heightened alert against possible attempts by anti-national groups to exploit soft targets. For now, Bihar Police say they are leaving nothing to chance.
