West Bengal Police Uncover Pakistan-Linked Honeytrap Network Targeting Officials
Arrests Made in Honeytrap Investigation
On August 3, Kolkata police apprehended an alleged associate of Jaish-e-Mohammed, identified as Hamim Mandal, revealing a honeytrap network linked to Pakistan that aimed at influential figures, including ministers and their relatives. A senior official confirmed the arrest, which took place on Belilius Road in Howrah, bringing the total number of arrests in this case to three.
According to the official, the Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal police acted on information obtained during the interrogation of Mandal and his alleged accomplice, Arpita Sarkar. Mandal was arrested on July 30 from his rented flat in Burdwan, while Sarkar was captured last Friday in Sahibganj, Jharkhand. An STF officer stated, "Aditya Singh's arrest was based on confidential information gathered during the investigation."
The focus now shifts to identifying other individuals connected to this alleged network. Investigators suspect that Singh came into contact with Mandal through an online gaming platform and subsequently became involved in the purported conspiracy. The STF officer noted that Mandal allegedly tasked Singh with monitoring Urban Development Minister Umesh Rai and his son.
The officer further indicated that Singh is suspected of gathering information about the minister and his son, which he shared with Mandal. Investigators are probing whether there was a plot to target the minister. It was revealed that Singh had taken photographs of Rai's activities and relayed them to Mandal.
Recently, Rai filed a police complaint stating that an individual had called him, claiming to have ties with a Pakistani agency and demanding extortion while threatening to kidnap his son. The minister also reported that the caller sent him images of the BJP office and warned of an impending attack on the premises. As the investigation progressed, authorities uncovered a cross-border honeytrap module suspected to be linked to gangster Shahzad Bhatti's syndicate and alleged terrorist associates in Pakistan.
An STF officer mentioned that the network aimed to ensnare influential individuals in West Bengal by involving aspiring models and young women active on social media. They also noted that investigators are examining intelligence reports indicating that at least six ministers, including Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and their family members, were identified as potential targets. The investigation has also brought Abid Jaat, a close associate of gangster Shahzad Bhatti, into the spotlight.
The officer added that investigators are looking into whether the accused were plotting any terrorist activities ahead of Independence Day celebrations and are working to identify every individual connected to the alleged network.