Security – West Bengal STF Expands Probe After Arrest of Suspect’s Associate
Security – The West Bengal Police’s Special Task Force (STF) has widened its investigation following the arrest of a woman allegedly linked to a suspected terror associate, as officials continue to examine possible connections within the network.
Arrest Made in Jharkhand Following Interrogation Leads
The West Bengal Police’s Special Task Force (STF) arrested Arpita Sarkar from Sahibganj district in Jharkhand on Friday night. According to officials, the action followed fresh information gathered during the questioning of Hamim Mondal, who is suspected of having links with the banned terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Acting on the new leads, an STF team travelled to Sahibganj and carried out the operation with support from the local police authorities.
Investigation Expands After Earlier Detention
Hamim Mondal had been taken into custody earlier on Friday from a residential apartment in a housing complex located in Burdwan town of East Burdwan district. During the search operation, investigators reportedly recovered documents containing details related to the movement schedule of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Officials are examining these materials as part of the ongoing investigation to determine their significance and whether they point to any possible security threat.
Possible Honey-Trap Angle Under Examination
Investigators are also looking into the possibility that the alleged network may have used honey-trapping as part of its activities. Sources familiar with the probe said this angle emerged after Arpita Sarkar’s alleged role came under scrutiny during the investigation. She is expected to be produced before a Kolkata court, where the prosecution is likely to request police custody to facilitate further questioning and gather additional evidence.
Court Proceedings and Further Questioning
A lower court had earlier remanded Hamim Mondal to 14 days of STF custody. Officials stated that Arpita Sarkar’s name surfaced during his interrogation, prompting the STF to organise a search operation in Sahibganj. The subsequent raid resulted in her arrest, adding another development to the expanding investigation. Authorities believe her questioning may help establish whether additional individuals were involved in the suspected network.
Alleged Links With Pulwama Accused’s Group
According to STF sources, investigators suspect that Hamim Mondal maintained direct communication with the group associated with Sajjad Bhat in Kashmir. Sajjad Bhat has been identified as one of the key accused in the 2019 Pulwama terror attack. Officials are now examining whether any operational or logistical connections existed between Hamim Mondal and individuals linked to that group. These claims remain part of the ongoing investigation, and authorities are continuing to verify the available evidence.
Security Measures Remain Under Review
Officials also noted that the security arrangements for Suvendu Adhikari have been reviewed and strengthened from time to time by the Union government based on intelligence assessments received from central agencies. Those assessments had previously indicated the possibility of threats from extremist organisations. The latest developments are being evaluated alongside existing intelligence inputs as investigators continue their efforts to determine the full scope of the alleged network and identify any potential security risks.
Authorities have not disclosed additional operational details, stating that the investigation is still underway. Further information is expected to emerge as questioning continues and evidence collected during the searches is examined by the investigating agencies.