Kolkata, August 3, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has begun travelling in a bulletproof vehicle following revelations of an alleged threat to his life linked to Pakistan-based, UN-designated terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), according to state police sources.
The development follows the recent arrests of suspected JeM associate Hamim Mondal and his alleged accomplice, Arpita Sarkar, by the Special Task Force (STF) of the West Bengal Police. Investigators have also linked the two accused to the Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN), a terrorist-criminal syndicate.
Hamim Mondal was arrested from Burdwan town in East Burdwan district on Friday. During searches, STF officials reportedly recovered documents containing details related to the Chief Minister’s daily schedule and movement, raising serious security concerns.
Police sources said the Chief Minister first used the bulletproof vehicle on Sunday evening while travelling from his ancestral residence in Kanthi, East Midnapore district, to Kolkata.
According to officials, the armoured vehicle had been included in the Chief Minister’s security convoy after he assumed office following this year’s Assembly elections. However, Adhikari had reportedly preferred travelling in regular vehicles during public interactions despite security advice.
Authorities said the latest intelligence inputs and the materials recovered during the investigation prompted a review of his security arrangements, leading to the decision to deploy the bulletproof vehicle for official travel.
The security concerns gained further significance after the killing of the Chief Minister’s close aide, Chandranath Rath, on May 6. Rath was shot dead in North 24 Parganas district when assailants on motorcycles allegedly opened fire after blocking his vehicle.
Following that attack, senior security officials had recommended that the Chief Minister use the armoured vehicle. The recommendation has now been implemented amid the heightened threat perception.
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