West Bengal Police arrest two suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed operatives

Published Jul 31, 05:37 PM UTC

The Special Task Force of West Bengal Police arrested Hamim Mondal and Arpita Sarkar from Purba Bardhaman district on July 31, 2026, for suspected links to Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Police seized electronic devices and documents revealing the suspects had gathered intelligence on the movements of then Leader of the Opposition and current Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari in Bardhaman last year. Investigators are examining whether there was a plot to target him. The suspects allegedly came into contact with a JeM module operated by gangster Shahzad Bhatti and his associate Azmal Gujjar through social media about a year ago. Security agencies believe Bhatti's network is involved in cross-border narcotics and arms smuggling, with proceeds financing terror activities in India with alleged backing from Pakistan's ISI. Chief Minister Adhikari described the case as extremely sensitive and a matter of national security with international links.