India is tackling the challenge of illegal immigration, particularly from Bangladesh and Myanmar, where migrants have settled across the country. The government’s latest policy mandates all states to identify and deport such individuals. Intelligence agencies reveal that illegal immigrants recruited by terror groups are now going underground to evade detection.
These individuals, instructed to blend in with the local population, are tasked with gathering information on specific locations. They are associated with terror outfits like Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HuJI) and Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), operating under the ISI’s directives in West Bengal, northeastern states, and parts of South India. Notably, these illegal immigrants often reside in camps in Kerala or Tamil Nadu, maintaining a low profile while conducting reconnaissance activities discreetly.
Officials highlight the meticulous planning of these operatives, who avoid detection by limiting their reconnaissance tasks to once a week or every 15 days. They operate in groups, often comprising legally residing individuals, to minimize the risk of exposure. While these individuals gather intelligence, the actual execution of attacks is entrusted to trained operatives yet to infiltrate the country. The agencies are closely monitoring the situation, as many have gone underground following heightened scrutiny during the West Bengal elections.
Counterterrorism experts warn that the unchecked infiltration poses a significant security threat to India. To address this, the Ministry of Home Affairs has directed states to establish Special Task Forces for detecting and deporting illegal migrants. A nationwide verification campaign is underway in border states, resulting in the identification and deportation of over 4,000 illegal immigrants.
