West Bengal STF Foils Major Terror Plot; Jaish-e-Mohammed Suspect Arrested

The Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal has foiled a major terror conspiracy and arrested a suspected operative allegedly linked to the Pakistan-based terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). According to STF officials, the accused, identified as Hamim Mondal, was taken into custody two days ago from the Purba Bardhaman district. Authorities said he was allegedly planning to create unrest during student protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and had also been tasked with gathering intelligence on the movements of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. As part of the investigation, STF also arrested his alleged girlfriend, Arpita Sarkar, from Jharkhand.

Speaking at a press conference, STF Inspector General Gaurav Sharma said Hamim had allegedly received instructions from handlers based in Pakistan to infiltrate the student protest at Jantar Mantar while disguised in a police uniform and create chaos. He was also reportedly directed to monitor the Chief Minister's movements and identify locations where his security arrangements were relatively weak. According to the STF, the Chief Minister was among the alleged targets of the terror plot.

Investigators also found that Arpita Sarkar allegedly played a significant role in the conspiracy. Officials claim she used honey-trap tactics to target politicians and other influential individuals in order to gather sensitive information, which was then passed on to Hamim. The investigation further revealed that the duo had allegedly planned to kidnap the son of state minister Umesh Ray and demand ransom. Authorities believe they were acting under the instructions of handlers linked to Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti. WhatsApp chats recovered from Arpita's phone reportedly indicated communication with contacts in Pakistan.

The STF also seized international SIM cards from the United Kingdom and Mexico from the accused. Investigators suspect these SIM cards were used to communicate with Pakistani handlers and sleeper cells through encrypted channels. According to the probe, Hamim was allegedly radicalized through social media before beginning to work for Pakistani operatives. Authorities are investigating several handlers who reportedly used code names such as "Rana," "Uzair," "Abid Jatt 333," and "Hamad," and are believed to be associated with the Shahzad Bhatti gang, which has been accused of recruiting youth into terrorism and involvement in narco-terror activities.