Kolkata: The Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal Police has arrested Arpita Sarkar, a close associate of suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) associate Hamim Mandal, from Sahibganj district in Jharkhand. Following the arrest, investigating agencies have intensified their probe into various aspects of the alleged network, according to officials.
Arpita’s name surfaced during interrogation –
According to sources, during Hamim Mandal’s interrogation, information about his alleged relationship with Arpita Sarkar was revealed. Following this, a Special Task Force (STF) team arrived in Sahibganj and, with the help of local police, arrested Arpita on Friday night.
Hamim Mandal has already been arrested –
Hamim Mandal was arrested on Friday from a flat in a residential complex in Burdwan town in East Burdwan district. During the search, the Special Task Force (STF) allegedly found documents related to the programs and activities of Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly. Investigating agencies are also investigating the possibility of a potential security threat based on these documents.
“Honey trap angle also under investigation” –
According to sources, following the arrest of Arpita Sarkar, the Special Task Force (STF) is now investigating a possible honey trap angle in the case. Arpita will be produced in a Kolkata court on Saturday, where the investigating agency will seek her police custody for further questioning.
Hamim is in 14-day STF custody.
On Friday, a lower court remanded Hamim Mandal to 14-day STF custody. Investigating officers say that based on inputs received during the interrogation, a raid in Sahibganj led to the arrest of Arpita Sarkar.
Investigation into alleged links with Pulwama attack suspects:
STF sources claim that Hamim Mandal had direct links with the Sajjad Bhat group, active in Kashmir. Sajjad Bhat was named among the main suspects in the 2019 Pulwama terror attack. Investigating agencies are now thoroughly investigating these alleged links.
Security agencies on alert –
According to officials, the security arrangements for Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari are periodically reviewed by the central government. Necessary changes are made to his security based on inputs received from central intelligence agencies. Currently, the Special Task Force (STF) is conducting a detailed investigation into the entire network, its possible connections, and its activities.