Trinamool leader’s brother arrested in West Bengal over alleged ISI link

West Bengal's Special Task Force has apprehended Fazle Rabbi, brother of Trinamool Congress leader Zakir Hossain, on suspicion of spying for Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Rabbi, previously the block president of Islampur in Uttar Dinajpur, was apprehended late Thursday. According to STF sources, Rabbi's name came up during the questioning of three men previously detained on espionage charges.

Rabbi's wife, Nur Nehar Begum, alleged the arrest was politically motivated, suggesting Rabbi is targeted due to his familial connection to a senior TMC figure. This follows a series of recent arrests tied to suspected terror activities. On Wednesday, Pradeep Basu, a Delhi software engineer, was detained on suspicion of being a Pakistani spy, accused of hawala transactions, counterfeit currency smuggling, and supplying Indian SIM cards to Pakistan through Bangladesh.

On the eve of Independence Day, three men were arrested for allegedly using the Army Welfare Education Society's name to cover their espionage activities. The STF claims Rabbi's arrest stems from information supplied by Mohammad Shafiqul Islam. Hamim Mondal and Arpita Sarkar were arrested on July 31, followed by the detention of Pakistani national Rana Rauf on August 12 over alleged terrorism links. Rabbi was in contact with Rana Rauf, according to STF sources.