Pak terror groups had Bengal CM on hit list, tried to infiltrate CJP protest: Cops
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was on the target list of Pakistan-based operatives, the Bengal Special Task Force (STF) said on Saturday, after arresting
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was on the target list of Pakistan-based operatives, the Bengal Special Task Force (STF) said on Saturday, after arresting two people over suspected links to handlers across the border. The STF said Hamim Mondal, arrested from Burdwan, had been repeatedly asked to gather information about the Chief Minister's movements, including occasions when his security may have been lighter. Read Full Story The probe has also revealed a possible link to the recent student protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. According to the STF, Mondal was asked to procure police uniforms as part of a plan to create disturbances during the agitation. "Our state's Honourable Chief Minister was on their target list," West Bengal STF IG Gaurav Sharma said, adding that attempts had been made to gather details about Adhikari's movements. The STF has arrested Mondal and his associate Arpita Sarkar, alleging that both were in contact with Pakistan-based handlers linked to the Shahzad Bhatti gang. CM ADHIKARI ON TARGET LIST According to the STF, an examination of Mondal's phone and online communications showed repeated attempts by Pakistan-based handles to obtain information about the Chief Minister. Sharma said Mondal was asked to track Adhikari's movement patterns and identify occasions when he might be relatively unguarded. Investigators also found references to police personnel, political leaders and other prominent individuals as possible targets, but the STF has not disclosed their identities.
"The matter is extremely sensitive, and we cannot disclose more," Sharma said, adding that further arrests could follow. HONEY-TRAP PLOT LED STF TO THE NETWORK The investigation began with an alleged plot to extort money from a senior politician in Howrah and honey-trap and kidnap his son. "A few days ago, we received information about a plan to extort money from a senior politician from Howrah and abduct his son through a honey-trap," an STF officer said. Investigators traced a suspicious social media handle to Sahibganj in Jharkhand. The handle was allegedly operated by Arpita Sarkar. Police alerted local authorities and secured the potential targets before examining the account's communications. The probe then led investigators to Mondal, who had earlier lived with his family in Howrah before moving to Burdwan a few months ago. According to the STF, Sarkar and Mondal had known each other for around four years after first connecting on Instagram and later meeting in person. The agency said the two were in a relationship. Investigators are examining whether Sarkar was to be used to lure the minister's son as part of the alleged honey-trap. "Our investigation has revealed a specific plan to lure the minister's son into a honey-trap, followed by kidnapping and blackmail. The conspiracy was directed by Pakistan-based handlers," a senior STF officer said. PAKISTAN HANDLERS, ENCRYPTED APPS The STF said Mondal was in contact with several Pakistan-based handles using the aliases 'Rana', 'Uzair', 'Abid Jatt 333' and 'Hamad'.
The BriefWire