Deepening Terror and Espionage Network Busted in West Bengal; Woman Arrested from Jharkhand

KOLKATA — In a major breakthrough that exposes a deep-rooted, cross-border criminal and espionage conspiracy, the West Bengal Police’s Special Task Force (STF) has expanded its ongoing crackdown with a crucial new arrest. Following the apprehension of a suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) operative late last week, investigators have now arrested a 22-year-old woman from Jharkhand. This development points toward a highly organized syndicate orchestrated by Pakistan-based handlers, aiming to execute espionage, target high-profile politicians, and conduct subversive activities within Indian borders.

The arrest of the young woman, identified as Arpita Sarkar, took place on Saturday, August 1, 2026, in Sahibganj, Jharkhand. She was swiftly brought to Kolkata and is expected to be presented before a local court in Purba Bardhaman. Sarkar’s arrest comes closely on the heels of the detention of Mohammed Hamim Mondal, a 24-year-old suspected JeM operative, who was apprehended on Friday, July 31, from an upscale residential complex in Bardhaman town.

The Modus Operandi: Honey-Traps and Social Media Grooming

According to top STF officials, the investigation into Mondal’s activities revealed a chilling blueprint for establishing a sophisticated espionage network. Investigators allege that Arpita Sarkar was being actively groomed by Pakistan-based handlers to become a central figure in “honey-trap” operations.

Sarkar, who comes from a middle-class family in Barharwa, Jharkhand, reportedly harbored ambitions of becoming a social media influencer and model. STF investigators believe that Mondal and his overseas handlers sought to exploit her online presence and aspirations. “She was trying to establish contact with senior state police officers, politicians, and their secretaries through her social media accounts to gather sensitive information,” a source close to the investigation revealed. The source added that Sarkar was allegedly receiving “training” for conducting honey-trap operations, abductions, and even assassinations.

Officials drew parallels between the role intended for Sarkar and that of previously arrested alleged ISI operatives who utilized their influencer status for espionage.

High-Profile Targets and Extortion Plots

The STF has uncovered deeply disturbing plots tied to the duo. According to Inspector-General Gaurav Sharma, Mondal was allegedly tasked with studying the movements of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to identify vulnerabilities in his security detail.

Furthermore, the STF alleges that Mondal and Sarkar had conspired to honey-trap the son of a state minister from Howrah. The objective, according to investigators, was to abduct the minister’s son and extort a massive sum of money from his family. It was intelligence regarding this specific abduction plot that initially brought the duo under the scanner of the authorities.

The STF also stated that Mondal had plans for subversive actions beyond West Bengal. IG Sharma noted that “Pakistani outfits were asking him to arrange a police uniform and infiltrate the recent student protest in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and engage in violence.”

Encrypted Communications and Pakistan Handlers

A critical aspect of the ongoing probe is the sophisticated communication methods employed by the suspects. STF officers disclosed that Mondal and Sarkar maintained contact with their handlers using advanced encrypted messaging applications that operate without the need for mobile SIM cards and do not store data on centralized servers, making tracking exceptionally difficult.

During interrogations and data recovery from seized laptops and mobile phones, investigators identified several suspected handlers based in Pakistan. Names such as Rana, Uzair, Abid Jatt, and Hamad have surfaced. The STF suspects these individuals are linked to the Shehzad Bhatti gang and the formidable Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

“He [Mondal] was a member of a cross-border criminal and espionage network which included Pakistan-based handlers, and was involved in the recruitment of local operatives, procurement of arms, collection of sensitive information concerning eminent persons, honey-trapping of dignitaries, abductions as well as assassinations,” read the official complaint lodged by STF sub-inspector Banasovan Ghosh.

The Background of the Accused

The primary suspect, Hamim Mondal, hails from Dignagar village in East Burdwan but had recently rented a flat in the Renaissance Township in Bardhaman. Under the guise of a student and a small business owner running a label printing operation in Howrah, Mondal allegedly established deep ties with terror outfits.

His family, including his grandfather and uncle, have expressed sheer disbelief at the allegations, stating that the young man had no such connections and suggesting that the police might be acting on “incorrect information.” However, authorities maintain that Mondal had already placed online orders for uniforms resembling those worn by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), reinforcing their claims of his intent to infiltrate security details.

The Investigation Broadens

The dual arrests have put the West Bengal state apparatus on high alert, coming 12 years after a major blast in the same district exposed a Jamaat-ul-Mujahidin (JMB) sleeper cell. State Minister Shankar Ghosh addressed the media following the arrests, taking a strong stance: “West Bengal has become the haven of terrorism, and our police force and our Chief Minister have already stated that we will crack down on all kinds of nuisance, terrorism, and criminals.”

The STF is now working intensely to unravel the full extent of this espionage and terror module. Investigators are thoroughly analyzing bank account transactions, deciphering encrypted messages, and attempting to identify other individuals who may have been recruited or targeted by this syndicate. As both Mondal and Sarkar remain in police custody, further revelations regarding cross-border terrorism and domestic espionage are expected in the coming days.