KOLKATA — Investigators from the West Bengal Police Special Task Force (STF) are probing an alleged plot by Pakistan-based handlers to utilize an arrested woman to build a broader espionage and honey-trap network across the region.
The revelation follows the recent arrest of suspected terror operative Mohammed Hamim Mondal from Purba Bardhaman district and his alleged associate, Arpita Sarkar, from Sahibganj district in Jharkhand. According to senior STF officials, the duo allegedly conspired to honey-trap and abduct the son of a West Bengal Minister of State for extortion.
Encrypted Messaging and Pakistan Handlers
Senior investigators stated that Mondal, linked with the banned militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Sarkar maintained direct communication with Pakistan-based operators through specialized encrypted messaging applications. These SIM-less communication channels do not store user data on central servers, presenting significant technical hurdles for law enforcement tracking.
During interrogation, several operational aliases linked to Pakistan-based networks surfaced, including names such as Rana, Uzair, Abid Jatt, and Hamad. Officers suspect these individuals operate on behalf of foreign intelligence handlers and criminal syndicates, including the Shahzad Bhatti gang.
"We are investigating all aspects, including the communication channels used, the people who were in contact with the accused, and whether any other individuals were being prepared for similar activities," a senior STF officer told reporters.
Exploiting Social Media Aspirations
Investigators believe Pakistan handlers intended to leverage Sarkar’s online footprint beyond the initial abduction scheme to recruit other individuals into an expanded espionage apparatus.
Sarkar, a resident of Barharwa in Jharkhand, comes from a middle-class background where her father runs a local grocery store. Active on multiple social media platforms, she harbored ambitions of becoming a digital influencer and model, frequently sharing lifestyle content, photos, and motorcycle riding videos. STF sleuths suspect that Mondal and his overseas handlers sought to exploit her online reach to make initial contact with potential high-value targets.
Both Mondal and Sarkar remain in STF custody in Kolkata as sleuths analyze digital devices, chat logs, and financial records to uncover the full scope of the cross-border operation.
