Pak terror groups had Bengal CM on hit list, tried to infiltrate CJP protest: Cops
The investigation has also thrown up a possible link to the recent student protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. According to the STF, Mondal was allegedly asked to procure police uniforms as part of an attempt by Pakistan-based operatives to create disturbances during the agitation.
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.
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'.
Investigators suspect the handles are linked to the Shahzad Bhatti gang, which the STF alleged is involved in radicalisation, narco-terror activities and recruitment for extremist operations.
"After verifying them, we found out that all these handles were operating from Pakistan," Sharma said.
According to the STF, Mondal first came into contact with the handlers on Instagram before shifting conversations to encrypted messaging platforms.
"During the investigation of his mobile phone and social media chat history, we found some very serious information. He was in touch with several Pakistan-based handlers through encrypted platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram," Sharma said.
The agency said Element X and Session were also used for communication.
Investigators further claimed that Mondal had been radicalised through social media before coming into contact with operatives linked to the Shahzad Bhatti group.
FOREIGN SIM CARDS RECOVERED
The STF also said it recovered SIM cards issued in the United Kingdom and Mexico from the accused.
Investigators suspect the cards were used to communicate with handlers abroad.
"The SIM cards are suspected to have been used for encrypted communication with handlers operating from abroad and to facilitate the strengthening of sleeper cells and the terror network in different parts of the country," Sharma said.
The STF is now examining the communication trail to determine the wider extent of the alleged network and whether others in India were in contact with the same handlers.
JANTAR MANTAR PROTESTS UNDER LENS
The investigation has also turned to the recent student protests at Jantar Mantar.
According to Sharma, Mondal was asked by Pakistan-based handlers to procure police uniforms in connection with a plan to create disturbances during the agitation.
"We also noticed that in order to create some disturbance during the recent student protest at Jantar Mantar, Hamim Mondal was being asked to procure police uniforms," Sharma said.
The STF has not said whether Mondal actually obtained the uniforms or whether the alleged plan moved beyond the communication stage.
TWO ARRESTED, PROBE CONTINUES
Mondal was taken into custody on the intervening night of July 30 and 31, while Sarkar was arrested on Friday night.
Both were produced before a court in Burdwan and are being questioned over their alleged links to the Pakistan-based handlers.
Investigators are now trying to establish the role of each accused, identify others who may have been part of the network and trace its cross-border links.
Sharma said the investigation remained sensitive and indicated that more arrests could follow.
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.
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'.
Investigators suspect the handles are linked to the Shahzad Bhatti gang, which the STF alleged is involved in radicalisation, narco-terror activities and recruitment for extremist operations.
"After verifying them, we found out that all these handles were operating from Pakistan," Sharma said.
According to the STF, Mondal first came into contact with the handlers on Instagram before shifting conversations to encrypted messaging platforms.
"During the investigation of his mobile phone and social media chat history, we found some very serious information. He was in touch with several Pakistan-based handlers through encrypted platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram," Sharma said.
The agency said Element X and Session were also used for communication.
Investigators further claimed that Mondal had been radicalised through social media before coming into contact with operatives linked to the Shahzad Bhatti group.
FOREIGN SIM CARDS RECOVERED
The STF also said it recovered SIM cards issued in the United Kingdom and Mexico from the accused.
Investigators suspect the cards were used to communicate with handlers abroad.
"The SIM cards are suspected to have been used for encrypted communication with handlers operating from abroad and to facilitate the strengthening of sleeper cells and the terror network in different parts of the country," Sharma said.
The STF is now examining the communication trail to determine the wider extent of the alleged network and whether others in India were in contact with the same handlers.
JANTAR MANTAR PROTESTS UNDER LENS
The investigation has also turned to the recent student protests at Jantar Mantar.
According to Sharma, Mondal was asked by Pakistan-based handlers to procure police uniforms in connection with a plan to create disturbances during the agitation.
"We also noticed that in order to create some disturbance during the recent student protest at Jantar Mantar, Hamim Mondal was being asked to procure police uniforms," Sharma said.
The STF has not said whether Mondal actually obtained the uniforms or whether the alleged plan moved beyond the communication stage.
TWO ARRESTED, PROBE CONTINUES
Mondal was taken into custody on the intervening night of July 30 and 31, while Sarkar was arrested on Friday night.
Both were produced before a court in Burdwan and are being questioned over their alleged links to the Pakistan-based handlers.
Investigators are now trying to establish the role of each accused, identify others who may have been part of the network and trace its cross-border links.
Sharma said the investigation remained sensitive and indicated that more arrests could follow.
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.
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'.
Investigators suspect the handles are linked to the Shahzad Bhatti gang, which the STF alleged is involved in radicalisation, narco-terror activities and recruitment for extremist operations.
"After verifying them, we found out that all these handles were operating from Pakistan," Sharma said.
According to the STF, Mondal first came into contact with the handlers on Instagram before shifting conversations to encrypted messaging platforms.
"During the investigation of his mobile phone and social media chat history, we found some very serious information. He was in touch with several Pakistan-based handlers through encrypted platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram," Sharma said.
The agency said Element X and Session were also used for communication.
Investigators further claimed that Mondal had been radicalised through social media before coming into contact with operatives linked to the Shahzad Bhatti group.
FOREIGN SIM CARDS RECOVERED
The STF also said it recovered SIM cards issued in the United Kingdom and Mexico from the accused.
Investigators suspect the cards were used to communicate with handlers abroad.
"The SIM cards are suspected to have been used for encrypted communication with handlers operating from abroad and to facilitate the strengthening of sleeper cells and the terror network in different parts of the country," Sharma said.
The STF is now examining the communication trail to determine the wider extent of the alleged network and whether others in India were in contact with the same handlers.
JANTAR MANTAR PROTESTS UNDER LENS
The investigation has also turned to the recent student protests at Jantar Mantar.
According to Sharma, Mondal was asked by Pakistan-based handlers to procure police uniforms in connection with a plan to create disturbances during the agitation.
"We also noticed that in order to create some disturbance during the recent student protest at Jantar Mantar, Hamim Mondal was being asked to procure police uniforms," Sharma said.
The STF has not said whether Mondal actually obtained the uniforms or whether the alleged plan moved beyond the communication stage.
TWO ARRESTED, PROBE CONTINUES
Mondal was taken into custody on the intervening night of July 30 and 31, while Sarkar was arrested on Friday night.
Both were produced before a court in Burdwan and are being questioned over their alleged links to the Pakistan-based handlers.
Investigators are now trying to establish the role of each accused, identify others who may have been part of the network and trace its cross-border links.
Sharma said the investigation remained sensitive and indicated that more arrests could follow.
