Fake Aadhaar cards, Bangladeshi currency seized as 2 held on Saraihat Express in Assam
Synopsis
Two suspected Bangladeshi nationals intercepted on a moving train in Assam with forged Aadhaar cards — the latest in a week-long sweep that has netted at least 30 suspected illegal immigrants. With deportation proceedings underway and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma publicly doubling down, Assam’s border crackdown has moved well beyond routine checks.
Key Takeaways
Assam Police detained two suspected Bangladeshi nationals on the Saraihat Express (Silchar–Howrah) on 25 September 2026 .
Suspected fake Aadhaar cards and Bangladeshi currency notes were recovered from the two individuals.
Deportation proceedings have been initiated under the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950 .
Assam Police detained a total of 28 suspected illegal Bangladeshi nationals in separate operations earlier this week.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has confirmed foiled infiltrations and multiple statewide detentions since 19 September 2026 .
Two convicted individuals were separately handed over to the BSF and transferred to Border Guards Bangladesh .
Assam Police apprehended two individuals suspected to be Bangladeshi nationals aboard the Saraihat Express on 25 September 2026, recovering suspected fake Aadhaar cards and Bangladeshi currency notes from them. The train was en route from Silchar to Howrah when the two suspects were intercepted following specific intelligence inputs on the movement of illegal foreign nationals.
What Was Recovered
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Border), Kulandra Nath Deka, confirmed that two Aadhaar cards suspected to be forged, along with Bangladeshi currency, were seized during interrogation. Authorities are currently verifying the identities and nationalities of the two individuals before completing deportation procedures.
Deka said, “The police have initiated the process to deport the two suspected Bangladeshi nationals from India under the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950.” Further investigation is underway to determine how the suspects allegedly entered India and acquired the suspected fake identity documents.
Part of a Wider Crackdown
The latest arrest is not an isolated incident. Earlier this week, Assam Police detained 28 suspected illegal Bangladeshi nationals in separate operations across the state. On 23 September, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that six suspected illegal foreigners were detained from a residence in Mankachar based on intelligence inputs, while another 22 individuals were apprehended during statewide operations on 22 September.
On 19 September, Chief Minister Sarma said Assam Police had foiled an attempted infiltration involving 10 people along the international border. This marks a significant escalation in the state’s border enforcement operations over a single week.
Legal Proceedings and Deportations
Police have initiated legal proceedings against all those detained and are also investigating individuals suspected of sheltering illegal immigrants. In a related development, two convicted individuals were handed over by Assam Police to the Border Security Force (BSF), which subsequently transferred them to Border Guards Bangladesh following prescribed procedures.
State Government’s Position
Chief Minister Sarma has repeatedly reiterated the state government’s commitment to preventing illegal entry from Bangladesh and identifying undocumented foreign nationals residing in Assam. The Border Police wing has been conducting regular checks to identify foreign nationals allegedly staying without valid documents and those suspected of using forged Indian identity papers. Sarma stated that the state is maintaining a robust mechanism to prevent unlawful entry and will remain vigilant along the international border.
With deportation proceedings underway and investigations ongoing, the crackdown on suspected illegal immigration in Assam shows no sign of slowing in the coming weeks.
Point of View
Intelligence-led operation rather than routine patrolling, and the timing ahead of state political cycles is worth noting. The use of forged Aadhaar cards points to a broader ecosystem of document fraud that a single arrest cannot dismantle; the more critical question is whether investigations are tracking the networks facilitating forgery and shelter, not just the individuals at the end of the chain. Assam’s repeated use of the 1950 Expulsion Act also raises due-process concerns that civil society groups have flagged, particularly around identity verification timelines. The border crackdown may score political points, but durable enforcement demands structural fixes to document issuance and cross-border intelligence-sharing.
NationPress
25 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the two people arrested on the Saraihat Express in Assam?
The two individuals arrested are suspected Bangladeshi nationals intercepted on the Saraihat Express travelling from Silchar to Howrah on 25 September 2026. Their identities and exact nationalities are still being verified by Assam Police before deportation procedures are completed.
What evidence was recovered from the suspects?
Assam Police recovered two Aadhaar cards suspected to be fake, along with Bangladeshi currency notes, from the two individuals during interrogation. The discovery of both forged Indian identity documents and foreign currency strengthened suspicions about their nationality.
Under which law is deportation being pursued?
Authorities have initiated deportation proceedings under the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950, a central legislation that empowers the government to expel individuals from Assam who are deemed to be foreign nationals residing illegally.
How many suspected Bangladeshi nationals has Assam Police detained this week?
At least 30 suspected illegal Bangladeshi nationals have been detained in Assam since 22 September 2026, including 22 in statewide operations on 22 September, six from a residence in Mankachar on 23 September, and the two latest arrests on 25 September.
What has Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said about illegal immigration in Assam?
Chief Minister Sarma has reiterated the state government’s commitment to preventing illegal entry from Bangladesh and identifying undocumented foreign nationals in Assam. He confirmed that police foiled an infiltration attempt involving 10 people on 19 September and said the state will maintain robust border vigilance.
