Fort William map, photo found with Pakistani national; Bengal STF probes possible information gathering

A Pakistani national, Rana Rauf Khalid alias Wahab Alam, and his associate Mohammad Ijaz were arrested in West Bengal on Tuesday by the Special Task Force (STF). The two men were found in possession of a map and a photograph of Fort William, home to the Indian Army's Eastern Command headquarters. Khalid, who had entered India illegally from Nepal in 2012, had also obtained fake Indian documents with a fictitious address in Kolkata's Topsia area.

The STF is investigating the source of the map and photographs, as well as the duo's intentions in obtaining them and whether they were part of any information-gathering activity. They are also examining Khalid's digital trail, including social media chats and phone numbers linked to Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, some of which were deleted.

The probe is focused on whether information related to Army installations was being transmitted beyond borders and if the duo are part of a larger network. Investigators suspect Khalid has ties with Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence (ISI). His movements in India are being probed, including whether information regarding army movements and infrastructure near Petrapole and Ghojadanga was collected.

The STF is also examining whether a significant operation was planned ahead of the Independence Day celebrations on August 15. Military intelligence agencies have been contacted in connection with the investigation. Khalid was taken to a hospital in Habra for a medical examination following his arrest and was produced before the Barasat court, which remanded him to 14-day judicial custody.