Bengal STF arrests JeM suspect's aide from Jharkhand in terror probe
Synopsis
West Bengal's STF has arrested a woman aide of a suspected JeM operative hours after nabbing him in Burdwan — and the plot thickens: documents on Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's movements were reportedly recovered, investigators are probing a honey-trapping angle, and the suspect is allegedly linked to the Sajjad Bhat group tied to the 2019 Pulwama attack.
Key Takeaways
Arpita Sarkar , aide of suspected JeM associate Hamim Mondal , arrested from Sahibganj, Jharkhand on Friday night, 1 August .
Hamim Mondal was arrested from Burdwan town, East Burdwan and remanded to 14 days of STF custody .
Incriminating documents relating to CM Suvendu Adhikari's schedule and movements were reportedly recovered during searches.
Investigators suspect Mondal maintained direct links with the Sajjad Bhat group , a key accused network in the 2019 Pulwama terror attack .
A 'honey-trapping' angle is reportedly being probed in connection with the alleged network's operations.
The West Bengal Police Special Task Force (STF) has arrested Arpita Sarkar, a close aide of suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) associate Hamim Mondal, from Sahibganj district in Jharkhand, officials confirmed on Saturday, 1 August. The arrest came hours after Mondal himself was taken into custody in East Burdwan district, as investigators unravelled what they describe as a potential terror-linked network operating across state lines.
How the Arrest Unfolded
According to officials, Sarkar was apprehended on Friday night after STF interrogators identified her alleged links to Hamim Mondal during his questioning. Acting swiftly on those leads, an STF team travelled to Sahibganj and carried out the arrest with assistance from local police. Sarkar is expected to be produced before a Kolkata court on Saturday, where investigators will seek her police custody for further questioning.
Mondal had been arrested earlier on Friday from a residential flat in a housing complex in Burdwan town. A lower court subsequently remanded him to 14 days of STF custody.
Incriminating Documents and a Potential Target
During searches following Mondal's arrest, STF personnel reportedly recovered incriminating documents relating to the schedule and movements of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, raising suspicions that he could have been a potential target. Officials noted that Adhikari's security cover has been periodically reviewed and upgraded by the Union government based on central intelligence inputs, which had indicated potential threats from extremist organisations.
Pulwama Link and the Sajjad Bhat Connection
STF sources claimed that Hamim Mondal maintained direct links with the Sajjad Bhat group in Kashmir. Sajjad Bhat is identified as a key accused in the 2019 Pulwama terror attack, and investigators suspect Mondal to be closely associated with that network. This comes amid sustained efforts by central and state agencies to dismantle JeM-linked sleeper cells operating within India.
Honey-Trapping Angle Under Probe
Investigators have reportedly opened a probe into a possible 'honey-trapping' angle in the alleged network's operations, following Sarkar's arrest. The precise nature of her alleged role is expected to emerge during her police custody interrogation. Notably, the cross-state nature of the operation — spanning West Bengal and Jharkhand — points to a coordinated network rather than isolated individuals.
What Happens Next
With both Mondal and Sarkar now in custody, investigators are expected to map the full extent of the network's reach, particularly its alleged connections to Kashmir-based terror groups. Further arrests cannot be ruled out as the probe deepens.
Point of View
It suggests the alleged network had moved well beyond passive surveillance into operational planning. The Pulwama-Sajjad Bhat link, if corroborated, would also indicate that JeM's mainland India footprint is more active than publicly acknowledged. The honey-trapping angle, meanwhile, raises questions about how deeply the network may have penetrated local contacts. Investigators will need to move fast: cross-state arrests with Kashmir linkages typically attract central agency involvement, and the coordination between Bengal STF and Jharkhand police will be a test of inter-state counter-terror machinery.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Arpita Sarkar and why was she arrested?
Arpita Sarkar is described by officials as a close aide of suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed associate Hamim Mondal. She was arrested by the West Bengal STF from Sahibganj district in Jharkhand on Friday night, 1 August, after her alleged links to Mondal surfaced during his interrogation.
Who is Hamim Mondal and what is his alleged JeM connection?
Hamim Mondal is a suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed associate arrested by the West Bengal STF from Burdwan town in East Burdwan district on Friday. STF sources claim he maintained direct links with the Sajjad Bhat group in Kashmir, which is identified as a key accused network in the 2019 Pulwama terror attack.
What documents were recovered during the Bengal STF operation?
STF personnel reportedly recovered incriminating documents relating to the schedule and movements of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, raising suspicions that he could have been a potential target. The Union government has periodically reviewed and upgraded his security cover based on intelligence inputs.
What is the honey-trapping angle in the STF investigation?
According to officials, the arrest of Arpita Sarkar has prompted investigators to probe a possible honey-trapping angle in the alleged network's operations. The precise nature of her alleged role is expected to be established during her police custody interrogation.
What happens next in the Bengal STF terror probe?
Arpita Sarkar is expected to be produced before a Kolkata court on Saturday, where the prosecution will seek her police custody. With Hamim Mondal already remanded to 14 days of STF custody, investigators are expected to map the network's full reach and its alleged connections to Kashmir-based terror groups.
