Aftab Ansari's jail cell phones, internet devices sent for forensic probe
Synopsis
A convicted terrorist serving life in a Kolkata prison was found with three phones, two routers, a Wi-Fi device, and ₹31,000 cash hidden in his cell — and investigators believe at least one call went to Pakistan. The breach at Presidency Central Correctional Home raises serious questions about prison security and possible insider complicity.
Key Takeaways
Kolkata Police raided the cell of convicted terrorist Aftab Ansari at Presidency Central Correctional Home on Friday night .
Seized items include three mobile phones , two routers , a Wi-Fi device , two card readers , a pen drive , earphones, and ₹31,000 in cash.
All devices have been sent for forensic examination ; investigators suspect contact with a Pakistani number .
Ansari, mastermind of the January 2002 American Centre attack , has ties to HUJI and JeM .
Investigators are probing possible sabotage planning or escape attempts , and have not ruled out prison staff complicity .
A case has been registered at Hastings Police Station ; fellow inmates and visitors are being questioned.
Phones, routers, and other internet-enabled devices seized from the prison cell of Aftab Ansari — the mastermind behind the January 2002 attack on the American Centre in Kolkata — have been dispatched for forensic examination, a senior Kolkata Police officer confirmed on Sunday, 30 August. Ansari is currently serving a life sentence at the Presidency Central Correctional Home in South Kolkata.
What Was Found in the Cell
A surprise raid conducted by the city police's detective department on Friday night at Ansari's cell yielded a significant cache of contraband. According to a city police officer, investigators recovered three mobile phones, two routers, a Wi-Fi device, two card readers, a pen drive, and earphones — concealed within his clothes and bedding.
In addition, cash worth ₹31,000, entirely in ₹500 denominations, was recovered from Ansari's possession. A case has been registered at the local Hastings Police Station, and a formal investigation has been launched into how such items reached the cell of a convicted terrorist.
Pakistan Link Under Scrutiny
Investigators are now probing whether Ansari was in contact with individuals in Pakistan. According to sources, at least one call from the seized devices is believed to have been made to a Pakistani number. The phones reportedly contained multiple communication apps, including WhatsApp and Telegram.
Detectives are working to establish the full extent of his communications network — mapping who he called, who visited him, and which fellow inmates he interacted with. Some prisoners who had contact with Ansari are being identified and questioned.
Conspiracy and Escape Theories Probed
Investigators are not ruling out multiple lines of inquiry. According to sources, detectives are examining whether Ansari was coordinating with a militant organisation to plan acts of sabotage, or whether an escape from custody was being plotted. Ansari is a former operative of the Asif Reza Commando Force (ARC), which had documented ties with Pakistan-based militant outfits including Harkat-ul-Jihad-e-Islami (HUJI) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
Prison Officials Under the Scanner
The investigating officers have not ruled out the possibility that prison staff or officials may have facilitated the smuggling of devices into Ansari's cell. Security at the cell has since been tightened, and Ansari is reportedly being questioned inside the facility itself. The movements of all individuals who have visited him are also under investigation.
The primary focus of the probe, according to officials, is identifying every person or location Ansari communicated with using the seized devices. How the inquiry unfolds could have significant implications for prison security protocols across West Bengal.
Point of View
Which means the breach did not happen overnight. The Pakistan angle, if confirmed forensically, would elevate this from a prison administration scandal to a national security matter. West Bengal's correctional services and the Centre will both face hard questions about oversight, and the investigation's willingness to pursue prison officials will be the real test of its seriousness.
NationPress
30 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Aftab Ansari and why is he in prison?
Aftab Ansari is a convicted terrorist serving life imprisonment for masterminding the January 2002 attack on the American Centre in Kolkata , which killed several people. He is a former operative of the Asif Reza Commando Force (ARC) , a group with ties to Pakistan-based outfits HUJI and JeM .
What was seized from Aftab Ansari's prison cell?
A raid on Friday night recovered three mobile phones , two routers , a Wi-Fi device , two card readers , a pen drive , earphones, and ₹31,000 in cash from Ansari's cell at Presidency Central Correctional Home . The devices had active internet connectivity and contained apps including WhatsApp and Telegram.
Is Aftab Ansari suspected of contacting Pakistan from prison?
Yes, investigators suspect that at least one call from the seized devices was made to a Pakistani number, according to sources. The forensic examination of the phones is expected to confirm the extent and nature of those communications.
Could prison officials be involved in smuggling devices to Ansari?
Investigating officers have not ruled out the involvement of prison staff or officials. The inquiry is actively examining how the contraband — including multiple electronic devices and cash — reached the cell of a convicted terrorist under life imprisonment.
What are investigators looking into beyond the phone calls?
Detectives are probing whether Ansari was coordinating with a militant organisation to plan sabotage, or plotting an escape. They are also questioning fellow inmates who interacted with him and tracking the movements of all visitors to his cell.
