Bengal STF nabs two including Pakistani national over suspected ISI links
Kolkata: The Special Task Force (STF) of the West Bengal Police has arrested two persons, including a Pakistani national, on suspicion of having links with Pakistan’s military intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), officials said on Wednesday.
The Pakistani national, who was the first among the two to be arrested from Habra in North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal, has been identified as Wahab Alam alias Rana Raut. Based on inputs obtained during the interrogation, the STF arrested one more person named Muhammad Izaz from the Topsia area in East Kolkata.
According to sources, investigators suspect that Izaz acted as a key local contact for Alam. However, STF officials have so far remained tight-lipped about the exact circumstances leading to the arrests, including the timing and locations of the operations.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the two were in contact with ISI operatives. Sources familiar with the probe said investigators have obtained indications suggesting Alam is a Pakistani citizen, although efforts are underway to conclusively establish his nationality and determine the purpose of his activities in India.
Investigators are also examining whether Izaz, Alam’s aide, is an Indian citizen or has links to Pakistan. Further inquiries are underway to ascertain the nature and extent of the duo’s alleged network and activities.
Earlier on July 30, the STF arrested suspected Jaish‑e‑Mohammed (JeM) associate, Hamim Mondal, from Burdwan Town in East Burdwan district of West Bengal. On the same night, his close associate, Arpita Srakar, was also arrested by the STF sleuths from Sahibganj in neighbouring Jharkhand.
Earlier this month, the STF sleuths arrested Hamim’s second aide, Aditya Singh alias Raj, from Kolkata, adjacent to Howrah district. Both Hamim and Arpita had parallel connections with Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN), a Pakistan-based terrorist-criminal group.
Through Arpita, SBN targeted family members of at least six current members in the West Bengal cabinet for honey-trapping and blackmailing. From Mondal’s possession, the STF sleuths seized incriminating documents about the schedules and movements of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.