Bengal man arrested in Bengaluru for TTP links; mother claims innocence
Synopsis
A security guard from North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, was detained in Bengaluru's Bommasandra area over alleged contact with a TTP member based in Afghanistan — while his mother, clutching his college books, insists he was only ever preparing for government exams. The disconnect between police allegations and the family's account makes this one of the more striking terror-link cases to emerge from southern India this year.
Key Takeaways
Asaful Malik , a native of Noapara, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal , was detained by Bengaluru Police on 15 August from the Bommasandra Industrial Area .
Police allege he came into contact with Imran Ahinder , a TTP (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) member based in Afghanistan .
His mother, Hasina Bibi , denied the allegations, saying he was a Gobardanga Hindu College graduate preparing for competitive exams before becoming a security guard.
Malik had been living in Bengaluru for approximately 18 months and had not returned home since leaving.
His father departed for Bengaluru on Saturday to liaise with police; formal charges had not been filed at the time of reporting.
A West Bengal resident, Asaful Malik, was detained by Bengaluru Police from the Bommasandra Industrial Area on 15 August over alleged links with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), even as his mother back in North 24 Parganas categorically denied her son's involvement in any extremist activity.
Who Is Asaful Malik
Asaful Malik, son of Abed Malik, hails from Noapara under Jadurhati village panchayat, within the jurisdiction of Baduria Police Station in North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal. According to his mother, Hasina Bibi, he graduated from Gobardanga Hindu College and had been preparing for competitive examinations, including the West Bengal Civil Service exam and a police recruitment test, before taking up work as a security guard in Bengaluru roughly 18 months ago.
What His Mother Said
'My son was always engaged in studies. He graduated from Gobardanga Hindu College. After that, he started appearing for various competitive examinations to get a government job. He even tried for a police job,' said Hasina Bibi, holding up her son's pile of books. She added that financial pressures forced him to relocate to Bengaluru for the security guard position. 'But he had to run the family, so he took up the job of a security guard in Bengaluru,' she said. Neighbours in Noapara also expressed surprise at the arrest, according to reports.
What Police Have Alleged
Bengaluru City Police stated in an official release that Malik was detained from the Bommasandra Industrial Area, which falls under the jurisdiction of Hebbagodi Police Station, and was subsequently interrogated. During questioning, Malik allegedly disclosed he had developed a desire for revenge against the Pakistan Army over what he described as atrocities against mosques and civilians in Pakistan. He also reportedly referenced the Israel-Palestine conflict and alleged support by the Pakistan Army for Israel. 'During interrogation, it was revealed that the accused came into contact with Imran Ahinder, a member of TTP (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) based in Afghanistan,' the police said in the press release.
Family's Next Steps
Hasina Bibi confirmed that Asaful's father had already left for Bengaluru to contact police authorities and gather more details. 'His father had already left for Bengaluru. We are expected to get more details from him after he reaches there and contacts the police authorities,' she said. The family was informed of the arrest on Saturday afternoon by Bengaluru Police. As of the time of reporting, Malik remained in custody pending further investigation.
Broader Context
This comes amid heightened security scrutiny across India over suspected cross-border militant networks. The alleged TTP connection — if verified — would mark one of the relatively rare instances of a suspected TTP-linked individual being detained in southern India. Investigators have not yet disclosed the full scope of the alleged contact with the Afghanistan-based operative, and charges are yet to be formally filed.
Point of View
But the profile described by Hasina Bibi — a college graduate grinding through competitive exam cycles who took a security guard job out of economic necessity — is also a profile that deserves rigorous evidentiary standards before conclusions are drawn. The alleged TTP connection via an Afghanistan-based operative, if substantiated, would be significant; if not, it risks feeding a pattern of high-profile detentions that quietly dissolve after headlines fade. Investigators must be transparent about the evidence threshold that triggered this arrest.
NationPress
15 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Asaful Malik and why was he arrested?
Asaful Malik is a resident of Noapara village in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, who was working as a security guard in Bengaluru. He was detained by Bengaluru Police on 15 August over alleged links with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), after police say he came into contact with a TTP member based in Afghanistan.
What did Bengaluru Police allege during interrogation?
According to a Bengaluru City Police press release, Malik allegedly disclosed a desire for revenge against the Pakistan Army over claimed atrocities against mosques and civilians, and referenced the Israel-Palestine conflict. Police say he was in contact with Imran Ahinder, a TTP operative based in Afghanistan.
What has Asaful Malik's family said about the arrest?
His mother, Hasina Bibi, categorically denied the allegations. She said her son was academically focused, had graduated from Gobardanga Hindu College, and was preparing for civil service and police recruitment exams before financial pressures led him to take a security guard job in Bengaluru.
Where exactly was Asaful Malik detained?
He was detained from the Bommasandra Industrial Area in Bengaluru, which falls under the jurisdiction of Hebbagodi Police Station. He had been residing in Bengaluru for approximately 18 months.
What happens next in the case?
Asaful Malik remains in custody pending further investigation. His father has travelled to Bengaluru to contact police authorities. Formal charges had not been filed at the time of reporting, and investigators have not disclosed the full scope of the alleged TTP contact.
