The accused, Hamim Mondal, was arrested by the STF from Purba Bardaman last week NEW DELHI: A suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) operative, arrested last week for allegedly tracking the movements of West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, had also surveyed the area where the chief minister’s official residence is located in Kolkata, a police officer said on Tuesday.The survey of the area was carried out as part of a “larger conspiracy” orchestrated by the Pakistan-based handlers of the accused, Hamim Mondal.The disclosures emerged during the interrogation of Mondal, who was arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) from Purba Bardhaman last week, and his alleged associates, Arpita Sarkar, and Aditya Sinha.”During the initial phase of interrogation, the accused denied visiting the locality. However, technical evidence, including mobile tower location analysis, conclusively established his presence there. When confronted with the evidence, he admitted to carrying out reconnaissance,” the officer, a senior STF official, told PTI.Investigators are also probing whether Mondal and his associates conducted a survey of the state secretariat, Nabanna, to identify possible vulnerabilities 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 added.The STF suspects Mondal had explored the possibility of renting accommodation near Adhikari’s residence to facilitate prolonged surveillance, though it is yet to establish whether he had actually rented any premises.The agency alleged that Mondal maintained direct links with Pakistan’s spy agency, the ISI, and a network operated by Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti.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.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesInvestigators suspect the alleged module was planning a major act of sabotage aimed at triggering political instability in the state, with Adhikari believed to be one of its principal targets.Following the revelations, security around the chief minister has been significantly strengthened, a senior bureaucrat at Nabanna said.The STF is also probing whether any other network linked to Bhatti or other Pakistan-backed operatives is active in West Bengal, and whether local facilitators or sleeper cells provided logistical support to the alleged conspiracy.”We are investigating the role of every individual connected to the module and examining whether any sleeper cells or local facilitators were involved,” the STF officer said.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorKaran ManralKaran Manral is a journalist at the Times of India. He covers politics, social issues, and international affairs, exploring stories that affect people’s everyday lives. He also writes explainers to make these stories easier for readers to follow.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSC Extends Section 498A Protection To Women In Marriage-Like Live-In RelationshipsWhatsApp Puts Multiple Accounts Under Review, Users Locked Out As Company Admits Mistakes Can HappenUdhayanidhi Stalin Detained Over Trisha Row |FIR, Political Storm & “I’ll Face It Legally” ExplainedPulwama Man Held With Hand Grenade, Anti-National Posters After Kulgam Terror AttackHigh-Level Probe Ordered As Security Forces Launch Massive Valley-Wide Manhunt | WatchSC Clarifies ‘Criminal Antecedents’ Caveat;CJP Demands Immediate Withdrawal Of FIRs Against StudentsAssam Govt Launches Relief Package As Over 1.36 Lakh People Remain Flood Affected | WatchIndian Parl Panel Grills Meta Over PM Modi Video Takedown, Seeks Mark Zuckerberg’s ApologyBankipur Shock, Datia Loss: BJP Suffers Twin Setback, But Why Isn’t It Good News For Opposition?Bengal STF Busts Alleged JeM Module, Probe Points To Pak-Based Handlers And Intelligence Network123PhotostoriesThe 7 germiest things in your hotel room that most guests touch without thinkingThe most beautiful buildings in the world have been ranked and one is from India5 wedding sarees which are best for wedding season 20269 Maharashtrian vegetarian dishes everyone should try onceFive women, five golds, one unforgettable day: Meet the Indian champions who rewrote Commonwealth Games boxing history in GlasgowWhy Popcorn pops: Understanding the chemical science reaction behind it10 Indian snacks that are healthier than biscuits7 high-protein breads you should add to your dietThis Indian spice is among the ‘World’s Stinkiest Foods’; detailed list inside10 tasty snacks made with bread you can prepare in minutes123Hot PicksCJP nationwide tourGold Rate TodayMJPRU resultBSE SensexRBI FD ruleManmohan Singh LiberhanKarnataka cabinet expansionUdhayanidhi StalinD Y PatilTop TrendingFaridabad MurderUdhayanidhi StalinPanchkula Army Captain Wife DeathCJP Founder ComplaintPM ModiKarnataka Cabinet ExpansionTrisha KrishnanD Y Patil DeathBypoll Election Result 2026Shradha Singh
NEW DELHI: A suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) operative, arrested last week for allegedly tracking the movements of West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, had also surveyed the area where the chief minister’s official residence is located in Kolkata, a police officer said on Tuesday.The survey of the area was carried out as part of a “larger conspiracy” orchestrated by the Pakistan-based handlers of the accused, Hamim Mondal.The disclosures emerged during the interrogation of Mondal, who was arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) from Purba Bardhaman last week, and his alleged associates, Arpita Sarkar, and Aditya Sinha.“During the initial phase of interrogation, the accused denied visiting the locality. However, technical evidence, including mobile tower location analysis, conclusively established his presence there. When confronted with the evidence, he admitted to carrying out reconnaissance,” the officer, a senior STF official, told PTI.Investigators are also probing whether Mondal and his associates conducted a survey of the state secretariat, Nabanna, to identify possible vulnerabilities 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 added.The STF suspects Mondal had explored the possibility of renting accommodation near Adhikari’s residence to facilitate prolonged surveillance, though it is yet to establish whether he had actually rented any premises.The agency alleged that Mondal maintained direct links with Pakistan’s spy agency, the ISI, and a network operated by Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti.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.
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Investigators suspect the alleged module was planning a major act of sabotage aimed at triggering political instability in the state, with Adhikari believed to be one of its principal targets.Following the revelations, security around the chief minister has been significantly strengthened, a senior bureaucrat at Nabanna said.The STF is also probing whether any other network linked to Bhatti or other Pakistan-backed operatives is active in West Bengal, and whether local facilitators or sleeper cells provided logistical support to the alleged conspiracy.“We are investigating the role of every individual connected to the module and examining whether any sleeper cells or local facilitators were involved,” the STF officer said.
