Kolkata, August 2, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal Police has uncovered fresh leads indicating that Arpita Sarkar, a social media influencer arrested for her alleged links to a suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) associate, was in direct contact with operatives of the Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) through encrypted communication on multiple social media platforms.
Investigators believe Arpita was initially recruited by Hamim Mondal, the suspected JeM associate arrested by the STF last week. However, the investigation has revealed that SBN handlers later began communicating with her independently, bypassing Hamim and issuing instructions directly.
According to police sources, investigators suspect that the network intended to use Arpita as a conduit for honey-trapping and blackmail operations targeting influential individuals, particularly those connected with the administrative establishment in West Bengal.
Hamim was arrested from Burdwan town in East Burdwan district on Friday morning, while Arpita was apprehended later the same day from Sahibganj in neighbouring Jharkhand.
The STF has seized two mobile phones belonging to Arpita and is taking assistance from cyber experts to decode encrypted and coded communications allegedly exchanged with SBN operatives.
During interrogation, Hamim reportedly admitted that he had introduced Arpita to the Pakistan-based handlers. Investigators now believe the foreign operatives identified her potential and established a separate communication channel with her.
The probe has further indicated that Arpita allegedly attempted to build contacts with several influential personalities, including political figures in West Bengal, with the objective of gathering sensitive information. Investigators are also examining her social media activity, including reels that police believe may have been used to attract potential targets.
The investigation has led the STF to several other online identities, including ‘Rana’, ‘Uzair’, ‘Abid Jat333’ and ‘Hamad’. Preliminary findings suggest these accounts were operated by Pakistani handlers, who allegedly used SIM cards registered in Britain and Mexico to conceal their identities and communications.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue analysing digital evidence and exploring the wider network’s activities.
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