West Bengal STF arrests suspected aide of ISI 'agent' Rana Rauf in Kolkata

The accused, identified as Imran, was arrested from a flat in the Topsia area of the city on Monday, according to a senior STF official.

Investigators allege that Imran assisted Rauf in trying to obtain an Indian passport using forged documents.

Police are now examining his alleged links with other members of the suspected network.

A senior STF officer said the investigation had uncovered Imran's alleged role in arranging documents for Rauf.

“The investigation has revealed that Imran was allegedly assisting Rauf in arranging documents for an Indian passport. We are examining his links with other members of the network and verifying the documents and other material recovered during the investigation,” the officer said.

The latest arrest forms part of the wider investigation into the network that the STF suspects Rauf was attempting to establish in Kolkata.

Rauf was arrested last week in Habra in North 24 Parganas district.

The STF suspects that he is a native of Faisalabad in Pakistan and had links with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

According to investigators, Rauf entered India in 2012 using forged documents after spending several years in Nepal.

The STF is also investigating allegations that Rauf passed information concerning the Indian Army and the Railways to alleged handlers in Pakistan.

Police are now questioning Imran and examining his contacts with Rauf and other suspected members of the network.

Pakistani passport provides fresh leads

Investigators have also obtained details of a Pakistani passport allegedly used by Rauf.

According to STF sources, the passport had reportedly been sent to Dhaka as part of travel arrangements for a proposed journey from Dhaka to Karachi.

“The passport details have provided investigators with additional leads as they probe Rauf's movements and his alleged links with others,” the officer said.

The information is being examined alongside other material gathered during the investigation as police try to establish Rauf's movements and identify people who may have assisted him.

Police probe alleged forged passport plan

The STF is also investigating whether Rauf had attempted to secure an Indian passport before the commencement of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in West Bengal.

Investigators suspect that Imran and other people may have helped him with the process.

Police are further examining allegations that Imran was involved in preparing passports using forged documents.

Investigators also suspect that the group may have been attempting to establish sleeper cells of militants with Kolkata as a base.

The STF has not yet established the full extent of the alleged network or the roles of all those suspected of being connected to it.

“We are investigating the larger conspiracy and the possible involvement of other persons. At this stage, our priority is to identify every link in the network, establish their roles and verify the suspected activities,” the senior STF officer said.

The STF believes several other people could have been involved in the alleged operation and is working to trace them.

The agency is continuing to question Imran while examining documents and other material recovered during the investigation.

His alleged communications and links with Rauf are also being scrutinised as investigators seek to establish the structure and reach of the suspected network.