Pak-linked Jaish suspect tracked Suvendu Adhikari's movements, surveyed his home
A suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) operative carried out reconnaissance of the area where West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's residence is located in Kolkata as part
A suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) operative carried out reconnaissance of the area where West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's residence is located in Kolkata as part of a larger conspiracy directed by Pakistan-based handlers, a police officer told news agency PTI. The disclosures emerged during the interrogation of the suspected operative, Hamim Mondal, who the Special Task Force (STF) arrested from Purba Bardhaman last week, and his alleged associates, Arpita Sarkar and Aditya Sinha. Read Full Story According to the officer, Mondal was tasked with tracking Adhikari's movements, attending his public engagements and identifying potential vulnerabilities in his security. Mondal allegedly visited several programmes attended by Adhikari and also conducted reconnaissance of the chief minister's residence at Chinar Park.
"During the initial phase of interrogation, the accused denied visiting the locality. However, technical evidence, including mobile tower location analysis, established his presence there beyond doubt. When confronted with the evidence, he admitted to conducting reconnaissance," the senior STF officer told PTI. Investigators are also examining whether Mondal and his associates surveyed the state secretariat, Nabanna, to identify possible gaps in the chief minister's security arrangements. "We are scrutinising CCTV footage and other technical evidence to verify their movements around Nabanna. Every lead is being thoroughly examined, and no possibility is being ruled out at this stage," the officer said. Investigators suspect Mondal explored the possibility of renting accommodation near Adhikari's residence to facilitate prolonged surveillance, although they have not yet established whether he or his associates rented any premises.
The STF alleged that Mondal maintained direct links with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and a network operated by Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti. "The probe has revealed suspected cross-border linkages involving the accused. We are verifying digital evidence, financial transactions and communication records to establish the complete conspiracy. The investigation is still at a crucial stage," the officer said. The STF also alleged that Sarkar was assigned the role of a "honeytrap" operative to cultivate contacts with influential politicians and senior bureaucrats and gather confidential information. Investigators suspect the alleged module planned to carry out a major act of sabotage aimed at triggering political instability in the state, with Adhikari allegedly being one of its principal targets.
The BriefWire