CM Himanta: STF Assam arrests 3 ISI-linked operatives
Synopsis
Assam's Special Task Force arrested three operatives linked to Pakistan's ISI on July 25, 2026. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma publicly confirmed the arrests and pledged to dismantle the entire network, warning that no one who threatens India's security will be spared.
Key Takeaways
Three operatives linked to Pakistan's ISI were arrested by the STF Assam on Friday, July 25, 2026 .
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the arrests publicly on July 26, 2026 via a post on X.
Investigations are described as active and ongoing , with the Chief Minister vowing to dismantle the 'nefarious network' entirely.
Assam 's proximity to international borders has historically made it a target for cross-border intelligence operations.
Possible involvement of central agencies such as the NIA has not been ruled out, given the ISI linkage.
Identities of the three arrested operatives have not yet been officially disclosed .
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Saturday, July 26, 2026, that the Special Task Force (STF) of Assam Police had arrested three operatives linked to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), vowing to dismantle their network entirely.
Posting on X, CM Sarma stated: 'Yesterday, @STFAssam arrested three operatives linked to Pakistan's ISI. Investigations are underway and we will DISMANTLE their nefarious network.' He added in Hindi, 'Bharat ki Suraksha ke beech jo bhi aayega usko hum bakshenge nahi' — ['Whoever comes in the way of India's security, we will not spare them'] — tagging Assam Police in the post.
Context
The arrests were carried out by the STF Assam, a specialised counter-terrorism and intelligence unit operating under the state police. The three operatives were detained on Friday, July 25, 2026, a day before the Chief Minister's public announcement. No names or identities of the accused have been officially disclosed as investigations remain active.
Assam shares international borders and has historically been a focus area for cross-border intelligence operations. The state's security apparatus has regularly coordinated with central agencies to detect and disrupt foreign-linked espionage modules.
Policy Backdrop
India has maintained a declared policy of zero tolerance toward ISI-linked networks operating on its soil. The National Investigation Agency (NIA), established in 2009, centralised the investigation of terror cases with foreign intelligence linkages, working in parallel with state police forces across the Northeast.
Throughout the 2010s, the Assam government conducted multiple operations against insurgent and cross-border modules, often in coordination with central security agencies. The latest arrests follow that established operational pattern, with CM Sarma signalling that the current crackdown will extend beyond these three individuals.
Stakeholders and Impact
The arrests directly affect residents of Assam and the broader Northeast region, where internal security has long been a political and administrative priority. Security forces — particularly the STF Assam and Assam Police — are now at the centre of an active counter-espionage investigation whose scope is yet to be fully disclosed.
The announcement carries significance beyond state borders, given India-Pakistan bilateral tensions over cross-border terrorism. A firm public statement from a sitting Chief Minister naming Pakistan's ISI directly is likely to draw attention from central security and diplomatic establishments.
What's Next
Investigations by the STF Assam are described as ongoing, with CM Sarma explicitly promising to 'dismantle' the wider network — suggesting further arrests or disclosures may follow. Central agency involvement, including a possible NIA referral, cannot be ruled out given the cross-border intelligence dimension of the case.
The identities of the three arrested operatives, the specific nature of their alleged activities, and the full extent of the network are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses. Assam Police has not yet issued a separate formal statement on the operation.
Point of View
Reinforcing the BJP's national-security positioning at the state level. The bilingual post, mixing English resolve with a Hindi warning, is clearly calibrated for both a national and regional audience. It also places pressure on central agencies to either formally take over the case or publicly endorse the state's findings, raising the stakes for the investigation's outcome. For Assam, which has long been a front-line state in India's internal security architecture, this announcement fits a broader pattern of the current administration using counter-terror successes as governance credentials.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did the STF Assam arrest in July 2026?
The STF Assam arrested three operatives alleged to be linked to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) on July 25, 2026, according to a public announcement by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
What is the STF Assam?
The Special Task Force (STF) Assam is a specialised unit of Assam Police focused on counter-terrorism, intelligence gathering, and high-risk operations within the state.
What did CM Himanta Biswa Sarma say about the ISI arrests?
CM Sarma said the STF had arrested three ISI-linked operatives and that investigations were underway. He vowed to 'dismantle their nefarious network' and warned in Hindi that no one who comes in the way of India's security will be spared.
Will the NIA take over the Assam ISI case?
No official announcement of NIA involvement has been made yet. However, given the cross-border intelligence dimension of the case, central agency involvement remains a possibility as investigations continue.
Why is Assam a target for Pakistan's ISI?
Assam's location near international borders and its history of insurgency have historically made it a focus area for cross-border intelligence operations, making it a strategic target for foreign intelligence networks.
