Bihar ATS arrests Madhubani man in anti-national case linked to Pakistan
Synopsis
The Bihar ATS, in a joint operation with the MP ATS, has arrested a 56-year-old Madhubani resident allegedly linked to a Pakistani handler — the second such national-security arrest in Bihar within a month. Two mobile phones have been seized for forensic analysis, and charges under UAPA have been filed.
Key Takeaways
Bihar ATS arrested Izharul Haque , approximately 56 years old , from Madhubani district on 15 June 2026 in a joint operation with the Madhya Pradesh ATS .
The case is registered under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 13(1)(b) and 18 of UAPA .
Investigators reportedly suspect the accused was in contact with a Pakistani handler , pending forensic confirmation.
Two mobile phones — a Redmi Note 5 and an OPPO handset — were recovered and sent for forensic examination.
This is the second Bihar ATS anti-national arrest in under a month ; the earlier arrest on 22 May 2026 involved Mohammad Mustafa of Muzaffarpur, allegedly linked to Pakistan-based arms smuggler Shehzad Bhatti .
The Bihar Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on 15 June 2026 arrested a suspect from Madhubani district during a joint operation with the Madhya Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad, acting on intelligence inputs regarding alleged anti-national and radical activities. The arrested individual has been identified as Izharul Haque, approximately 56 years old, a resident of Nau Tol Sarisvapahi village under Pandaul police station in Madhubani.
Who Was Arrested and Where
According to officials, Izharul Haque, son of the late Haji Abdul Ghafoor, was residing at Madrasa Noore Mohammadiya in Urdu Mohalla, Raghonagar, under Nagar police station limits at the time of his arrest. The joint operation was conducted following specific intelligence inputs, authorities stated.
Case Background and Charges
The arrest is linked to an investigation initiated by the Madhya Pradesh Special Task Force under Case No. 06/2026, registered on 12 June 2026. Charges have been filed under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 13(1)(b) and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). According to preliminary investigations and technical evidence gathered so far, investigators suspect that the accused was in contact with a Pakistani handler, though this is yet to be formally established in court.
Evidence Recovered
During the raid, officials recovered two Android mobile phones from the accused — a Redmi Note 5 and an OPPO handset. Both devices, along with other digital evidence, are currently undergoing forensic and technical examination as part of the ongoing probe, authorities confirmed.
Pattern of Bihar ATS Operations
This arrest is part of a broader pattern of security operations by the Bihar ATS in recent weeks. Notably, on 22 May 2026, the squad had arrested Mohammad Mustafa, son of Mohammad Sagir and a resident of Ratanpur village in Muzaffarpur district, for allegedly maintaining direct contact with Pakistan-based arms smuggler Shehzad Bhatti and his associates. In that case, the accused was reportedly communicating with foreign handlers through social media platforms and encrypted messaging applications. This is the second such national-security arrest by the Bihar ATS within a month, signalling heightened counter-intelligence activity in the state.
What Happens Next
Authorities have confirmed that further legal proceedings are underway. Investigating agencies are continuing to examine possible links, communications, and other aspects connected to the case. The forensic examination of the seized devices is expected to be a key element in establishing the chain of alleged contact with foreign operatives.
Point of View
And the Bihar ATS executed the arrest, pointing to a more integrated national security architecture than was visible even two years ago. The forensic examination of the seized phones will be the evidentiary crux; UAPA convictions hinge on establishing actual communication, not just association. Whether these arrests reflect a genuine uptick in cross-border activity or an intensification of surveillance and enforcement is a question that the trial process will eventually have to answer.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested by the Bihar ATS in the Madhubani anti-national case?
The arrested individual is Izharul Haque , approximately 56 years old and a resident of Nau Tol Sarisvapahi village under Pandaul police station in Madhubani district. He was staying at Madrasa Noore Mohammadiya in Urdu Mohalla, Raghonagar, at the time of his arrest on 15 June 2026.
What charges have been filed against Izharul Haque?
He has been charged under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 13(1)(b) and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The case was registered by the Madhya Pradesh Special Task Force as Case No. 06/2026 on 12 June 2026.
What evidence was recovered during the arrest?
Officials recovered two Android mobile phones from the accused — a Redmi Note 5 and an OPPO handset. Both devices are currently undergoing forensic and technical examination as part of the ongoing investigation.
Is this the first such arrest by the Bihar ATS recently?
No. On 22 May 2026, the Bihar ATS had arrested Mohammad Mustafa of Muzaffarpur district for allegedly maintaining contact with Pakistan-based arms smuggler Shehzad Bhatti and communicating with foreign handlers via social media and encrypted messaging apps. The Madhubani arrest is the second such case within a month.
What is the significance of the MP ATS involvement in a Bihar case?
The Madhya Pradesh Special Task Force registered the predicate case (No. 06/2026) that led to the arrest, with the Bihar ATS executing the operation on the ground. This inter-state coordination reflects a broader integrated counter-intelligence approach being deployed for cases involving alleged cross-border links.
