West Bengal STF arrests three in Coochbehar over suspected Pakistan-ISI links

The Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal Police arrested three individuals from Coochbehar’s Sahebganj on Saturday (August 15, 2026) in connection with suspected links to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). This came just three days after the STF apprehended two others, including a Pakistani national, from North 24 Parganas for allegedly spying on Indian Railway Services and Indian Army on behalf of ISI since 2012.

Bengaluru Police in Karnataka also arrested a resident of North 24 Parganas, Asaful Mallick, for allegedly planning to undergo terrorist training by the Afghanistan-based terror group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and target the Pakistan Army. According to officials, the three arrested individuals were identified as Rashidul and Nasiruddin from Coochbehar’s Dinhata II block, and Safikul from Bihar’s Kishanganj.

Police Superintendent of STF (North Bengal), Y. Raghuvamshi, stated that the STF received an internal tip-off and conducted a search operation at their residences in Sahebganj early Saturday morning, seizing some Indian SIM cards from the accused.

The SIM cards were reportedly smuggled to Pakistan through Bangladesh, and the accused were also involved in a counterfeit Indian currency racket. They were produced before a Dinhata court on Saturday and granted 14-day police custody. STF officials are now interrogating the accused to trace their other associates and communication channels with ISI.

Raghuvamshi added that it is unclear how long the accused have been involved in these activities and how they became connected with ISI. Further probe is underway to confirm their involvement and duration of activity.