Investigators claim the accused was instructed by handlers in Pakistan to create unrest at a CJP protest while disguised as a police officer and to track West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s movements.
BY PC Bureau
New delhi, August 2, 2026: What began as an investigation into an alleged honeytrap and kidnapping conspiracy has uncovered a suspected Pakistan-linked terror module, with West Bengal Police arresting a man accused of planning to infiltrate protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and carrying out surveillance on the state’s chief minister.
The Special Task Force (STF) arrested Hamim Mondal from Purba Bardhaman district two days ago. Investigators allege that Mondal was working under instructions from handlers linked to the Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), who directed him to enter a recent CJP protest at Jantar Mantar disguised as a police officer and trigger unrest.
According to the STF, Mondal was also tasked with monitoring the movements of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and identifying places where his security cover was relatively weak.
Bengal Police says Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari was on the HIT LIST of Pakistan-based terror groups.
– STF arrested Hamim Mondal from Burdwan over links to Pakistan-based terror outfits.
– STF: “Same network tried to create disturbances during the Jantar Mantar students’ protest.” pic.twitter.com/CWZQsvGTCz— Manish Pangotra🇮🇳 (@ManishPangotra5) August 1, 2026
Inspector General (STF) Gaurav Sharma said the chief minister figured prominently among the suspected targets. Preliminary interrogation, he added, revealed Mondal’s links with multiple JeM operatives believed to be active in West Bengal. A local court has remanded him to 14 days of STF custody for further questioning.
The investigation gathered pace after police arrested Mondal’s girlfriend, Arpita Sarkar, from Jharkhand on Friday. Officers allege that the couple was plotting to honeytrap and abduct the son of state minister Umesh Ray to extort money from the family, allegedly acting on the directions of Pakistani handlers associated with the Shahzad Bhatti gang.
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Police claim Sarkar cultivated contacts with politicians and other influential individuals through honeytrap operations, collecting sensitive information that she later passed on to Mondal. Investigators examining her WhatsApp conversations reportedly found evidence of direct communication with contacts in Pakistan.
The two allegedly became acquainted through Instagram and had been in a relationship for nearly four years. Officials said the probe initially centred on Sarkar’s social media activity during the honeytrap investigation before eventually leading investigators to Mondal and his suspected terror links.
Searches conducted after the arrests led to the recovery of international SIM cards issued in the United Kingdom and Mexico. Investigators believe the cards were used to maintain encrypted communication with overseas handlers and possibly other sleeper operatives.
Forensic analysis of Mondal’s mobile phone and digital footprint suggests he was radicalised through online platforms before allegedly being recruited by Pakistan-based operatives.
Police identified the suspected handlers by the aliases ‘Rana’, ‘Uzair’, ‘Abid Jatt 333’ and ‘Hamad’, whom they believe are linked to the Shahzad Bhatti network. Investigators allege the group is involved in radicalisation, recruitment and narco-terror operations.
The STF said efforts are continuing to identify additional members of the network, establish the extent of its operations and trace its cross-border links. Officials declined to disclose further operational details, citing the sensitive nature of the ongoing investigation.
