Guwahati, Apr 29: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the arrest of 24 individuals on Monday in a crackdown against those allegedly promoting anti-national sentiments and defending Pakistan following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

In an update posted on X, CM Sarma stated, “Update on Crackdown against traitors for defending Pakistan on Indian soil – 19:00 hrs | 28.04. 24 Anti-Nationals are behind bars now.”

The arrests include Normal Hoque, Seikh Saroj, Firajul Islam, Kamal Uddin, and Samsul Haque. These arrests follow an earlier statement from CM Sarma, who confirmed that Assam would not tolerate any form of support for Pakistan in connection with the Pahalgam attack, which claimed 26 lives.

The attack has sparked widespread national condemnation, with the government promising strict punishment for the perpetrators. Meanwhile, Assam is preparing for its Panchayat elections, scheduled for May 2 and May 7, with vote counting on May 11.