Kolkata, August 3, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday questioned suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) associate Hamim Mondal and his aide Arpita Sarkar as part of an investigation into alleged links with a Pakistan-based terrorist-criminal network.
Mondal and Sarkar were arrested last week by the Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal Police. Officials said the seriousness of the allegations and their suspected connections with the Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) prompted the NIA to join the investigation.
Sources said the agency is expected to question Aditya Singh, another alleged associate of Mondal, who was arrested by the STF on Monday morning. Singh is likely to be produced before a district court, where police will seek his custody for further interrogation.
Investigators are focusing on gathering information about the alleged terror network’s operations, communication channels and individuals linked to its activities in West Bengal.
Police officials said the investigation is aimed at identifying all persons involved, their respective roles and the extent of the network. Authorities are also examining digital devices, chat records and online communications recovered during the probe.
According to investigators, SBN handlers allegedly maintained contact with Arpita Sarkar through encrypted messages on social media platforms. The probe has indicated that the handlers allegedly attempted to target family members of several West Bengal ministers through her.
Sources said Sarkar was initially associated with Mondal but later allegedly received direct instructions from handlers of the Pakistan-based group independently.
Investigators are also examining allegations that other influential individuals connected with the state administration were targeted through similar methods as part of the suspected network’s activities.
Further details are expected to emerge as the interrogation of the accused and analysis of digital evidence progress.
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