15 more detained in Pak-linked fake SIM cards case

Guwahati: At least 15 more persons were detained for questioning in connection with the Pakistan-linked fake SIM cards racket under ‘Operation Ghost SIM', sources said on Sunday.

Amid simmering tensions between India and Pakistan following the Apr 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Assam Police, while acting on Army intelligence, busted a racket using fake SIM cards from bases in Assam, Rajasthan and Telangana for cyber-crimes and anti-national activities, including sharing sensitive information with agents in Pakistan. Seven persons were arrested from the above-mentioned states since Friday.

On the other hand, three more persons were arrested for allegedly posting remarks on social media in favour of Pakistan, raising total arrests to 68, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Sunday. He added that no one will be spared.

Sharing an update on the ‘crackdown against anti-nationals' in a post on ‘X', the CM said, "Sribhumi police have arrested Abdul Hussain and Rosid Ahmed. One Imran Hussain was apprehended by Barpeta police."

The state police have been taking action against people for ‘anti-India' and ‘pro-Pakistan' activities, including posts on social media, since the Apr 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people were killed. Among those arrested was opposition AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam.

He was initially arrested on sedition charges for allegedly "defending" Pakistan and its complicity in the Pahalgam attack. After he secured bail in that case, he was held under the stringent National Security Act.