Arrested JeM suspect planned Jantar Mantar attack in police uniform during CJP protests: Bengal STF

Addressing a press conference on Saturday, STF Inspector General Gaurav Sharma said investigators had recovered "explosive" digital evidence from the mobile phone, electronic devices and encrypted social media chats of 24-year-old Hamim Mondal, who was arrested from Purba Bardhaman district on Friday.

The STF said the investigation remains ongoing and several aspects of the alleged conspiracy are being verified.

Encrypted chats reveal Pakistan links

According to the STF, forensic examination of Mondal's mobile phone and messaging applications revealed alleged communication with multiple Pakistan-based handlers linked to the Shahzad Bhatti gang, which investigators claimed has been associated with narcotics trafficking and terror-related activities.

Officials said the conversations took place through encrypted platforms, including WhatsApp and Telegram.

The STF identified several alleged handlers operating under the names "Rana", "Abir", "Habib" and "333". Investigators claimed the network was involved in radicalising young people, facilitating illegal arms trafficking, planning acts of sabotage and recruiting operatives.

Police said they are analysing the recovered digital evidence to determine the full extent of the suspected network.

'Plot' targeting Chief Minister

The investigators claimed that Mondal had been collecting detailed information about Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's movements, official engagements and travel schedule.

According to the STF, the probe has so far suggested that Adhikari was one of the intended targets of the suspected module.

Officials also said that a minister from Howrah district was under surveillance.

Earlier, police sources had said Mondal had been monitoring the Chief Minister's convoy routes, vehicle movements and programme schedule.

Speaking on Friday, Adhikari described the case as "sensitive" and said, "It's a sensitive issue. STF and senior police officers are handling the case. He may have international connections; the police are investigating."

'Sabotage plan' at Jantar Mantar

The STF further claimed that Mondal was allegedly planning to infiltrate the recent students' protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar while wearing a police uniform.

According to investigators, the suspected plan involved carrying out acts of sabotage during the demonstration.

Police, however, have not disclosed further operational details, citing the ongoing investigation.

Officials said they are examining whether others were involved in planning or facilitating the alleged operation.

Woman associate nabbed in 'honey-trap' probe

In a related development, the STF arrested Arpita Sarkar from Sahibganj district in neighbouring Jharkhand.

She was later brought to Bardhaman for questioning.

According to police, Sarkar had allegedly remained in regular contact with Hamim Mondal for nearly four years after the two reportedly met through Instagram.

Investigators described her as Mondal's close associate and claimed chats recovered during the investigation suggested frequent communication between them.

Police alleged that Sarkar may have been used as part of a suspected "honey-trap" operation designed to establish contacts with influential political figures and gather sensitive personal information.

"Our investigation suggests that the accused attempted to build a network to access sensitive personal information of certain political personalities," an STF official said.

"The woman was allegedly used to develop contacts and facilitate the collection of such information. We are verifying the digital evidence and examining the exact nature of her role," the official added.

Investigators are examining whether any information allegedly collected through these contacts was intended to support planning for possible terror activities.

Probe focuses on wider terror network

The STF said Mondal had been living in a rented apartment in Bardhaman for the past two to three months, allegedly to avoid detection by law enforcement agencies.

Police suspect he was part of an alleged ISI-backed network tasked with collecting intelligence on VIPs, recruiting new operatives and creating infrastructure for possible terror activities in West Bengal.

Officials are now investigating the network's financial trail, digital communications, domestic contacts and possible international links.

They are also examining whether more suspects were associated with the alleged module.

Bengal STF arrested Hamim Mondal from a housing complex in Burdwan town.

Police have alleged that he is associated with the Pakistan-based banned terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed and is a close associate of Sajjad Bhat, who is accused of being one of the masterminds behind the 2019 Pulwama terror attack.

Investigators earlier claimed that documents and digital material recovered during the operation indicated that Mondal had been collecting intelligence related to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's movements.