Third suspect arrested in JeM-linked terror module in West Bengal
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has now been roped in to probe the cross-border communications between the suspects and their operatives
On August 3, 2026, the West Bengal Police's Special Task Force (STF) apprehended Aditya Singh, a third individual linked to a terror module allegedly backed by Pakistan. Singh, also known as Raju and Raj, was apprehended from Howrah district. This arrest comes after the initial captures of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) operative Hamim Mondal and Arpita Sarkar on July 31.
Mondal was captured in Bardhaman, while Sarkar was arrested in Sahebganj, Jharkhand. The STF revealed that the network was surveilling high-profile targets, including Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, other State Ministers, and top police officials. Sources indicated that Mondal intended to infiltrate a recent student protest in Delhi's Jantar Mantar by donning police uniforms and causing violence.
The STF suspects Singh's communication with Mondal occurred through encrypted online platforms. National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials have joined the investigation, interrogating Sarkar and Mondal to uncover the group's intentions. State intelligence agencies are collaborating to investigate suspected cross-border communications and financial transactions.
Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Nand confirmed ongoing communication with the West Bengal STF and expressed vigilance regarding potential threats to senior State Ministers and officials. Family members of Singh denied any knowledge of the people he communicated with. Documents, gadgets, and bank account details linked to the suspects have been seized for further examination. The STF previously suggested that the arrested suspects might be part of a larger network.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
