IB flags JMB bid to revive IMK for terror recruitment in West Bengal, Assam
Synopsis
India's Intelligence Bureau has flagged a deliberate JMB strategy to reactivate its India-centric offshoot, the IMK, using the illegal immigration crackdown as a recruitment trigger. With radicalisation camps reportedly being set up near the border and Al-Qaeda affiliates lending support, the threat — though nascent — is being treated as a structured, long-game operation targeting West Bengal, Assam, and eventually Tripura.
Key Takeaways
The Intelligence Bureau (IB) has flagged JMB's bid to reactivate its India-focused offshoot, the Imam Mahmuder Kafila (IMK) .
Primary targets are West Bengal and Assam , with Tripura identified as a future expansion zone.
The IMK is exploiting the illegal immigration crackdown to recruit deportees and disaffected individuals near the India-Bangladesh border .
Recruitment and radicalisation camps are reportedly being set up along border areas, with support from Al-Qaeda affiliates and the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) .
The IB official described the threat as at a very nascent stage , with no immediate operation planned due to high border security.
The IMK is simultaneously targeting Indian nationals via online jihadist channels, as they are easier to deploy inside the country.
The Intelligence Bureau (IB) has sounded an alert over attempts by the Jamaat ul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) to reactivate its India-focused offshoot, the Imam Mahmuder Kafila (IMK), with West Bengal and Assam identified as primary targets for recruitment and potential terror operations. According to an IB official, the JMB views the current crackdown on illegal immigration as a strategic opening to exploit vulnerabilities along the India-Bangladesh border.
Why JMB Is Reactivating IMK Now
Security officials say the JMB believes the ongoing drive against illegal immigration has created a pool of disaffected individuals — those who have been asked to return to Bangladesh — who could be susceptible to radicalisation. The IMK, which was originally formed by the JMB with the explicit purpose of functioning as an India-centric terror outfit, is now being repositioned to exploit this window.
The IMK has reportedly revived its three-step operational doctrine: Radicalisation, Recruitment, and Bayath (oath of allegiance). Officials note that the outfit's social media footprint has been growing steadily, with accounts spreading misinformation around the illegal immigration issue to stoke grievances.
Border Areas in Focus, Recruitment Camps Being Set Up
According to the IB official, IMK recruiters have been repositioned closer to border areas to tap into illegal immigrants before or during their return. These operatives are reportedly in the process of establishing recruitment and radicalisation camps near the frontier zones.
Officials say the IMK is not acting alone. The outfit is reportedly seeking operational support from Al-Qaeda affiliates and the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) for recruitment and radicalisation activities. The convergence of multiple extremist networks in a single operation marks a significant escalation in the threat profile.
Why Illegal Immigrants and Indian Recruits Both Matter
The IB official explained that illegal immigrants are considered high-value recruits because of their familiarity with local geography, logistics, and social networks in states like West Bengal and Assam — having lived there for extended periods. However, deploying them immediately poses challenges: they are newly recruited and would require time before being operationally ready, and heightened border security currently makes re-entry into India difficult.
This is why the IMK is simultaneously targeting Indian nationals for recruitment. Indian recruits are already present inside the country, making them logistically easier to deploy. They are being identified through online channels that propagate jihadist content, provided radicalisation material, and then asked to take an oath of allegiance.
Threat Assessment: Nascent but Deliberate
Despite the alarm, the IB official stressed that the plan remains at a very nascent stage. The JMB and IMK are not looking to rush into immediate operations, particularly given what officials describe as extremely high border vigil that would make any near-term attack attempt likely to fail.
The current strategic intent, officials say, is to build a robust sleeper network over time. Looking ahead, the IMK's geographic ambitions extend beyond West Bengal and Assam — officials warn that Tripura is next in their expansion plan. The JMB intends to increasingly channel its India-facing operations through the IMK going forward.
Point of View
Outfits like the IMK have used precisely such quiet periods to build durable sleeper networks that prove far harder to dismantle once activated.
NationPress
26 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Imam Mahmuder Kafila (IMK) and its link to JMB?
The Imam Mahmuder Kafila (IMK) is a terror offshoot of the Jamaat ul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), formed specifically to function as an India-centric outfit. The JMB created the IMK with the explicit intention of targeting Indian states, particularly in the northeast and West Bengal.
Why is the JMB reactivating the IMK now?
According to IB officials, the JMB views India's ongoing crackdown on illegal immigration as a strategic opportunity. The outfit believes deportees and individuals asked to return to Bangladesh are vulnerable to radicalisation and can be recruited as operatives familiar with Indian territory.
Which states are under threat from the IMK?
West Bengal and Assam are the immediate targets, according to the IB. Officials also warn that Tripura is on the IMK's expansion list for the near future, making the entire northeastern corridor a zone of concern.
Is an attack imminent?
No, according to the IB official, the threat remains at a very nascent stage. The JMB and IMK are not planning immediate operations, partly because border security is currently very high. The focus right now is on building a recruitment and radicalisation network for longer-term operations.
Who is helping the IMK with recruitment and radicalisation?
The IMK is reportedly seeking support from Al-Qaeda affiliates and the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) for its recruitment and radicalisation activities. Indian nationals are also being identified through online channels that spread jihadist content.
