JeM targeted Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari and a minister, STF probing
Synopsis
A JeM suspect arrested in Burdwan was found carrying West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari's schedule — and Adhikari has now publicly named a second cabinet target, MoS Umesh Rai. The suspect is allegedly linked to Sajjad Bhat, the main accused in the Pulwama attack, raising the stakes of what began as a local arrest into a national security matter.
Key Takeaways
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari confirmed on 31 July that Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) had targeted both him and Minister of State Umesh Rai .
The STF arrested suspected JeM operative Hamim Mondal from Burdwan town, East Burdwan district ; local police initially misidentified the suspect as Hamid Mondal.
Incriminating documents containing Adhikari's schedule were reportedly recovered from the arrested suspect.
Mondal is believed to have direct links to the Sajjad Bhat Group in Kashmir — Bhat is the main accused in the Pulwama attack .
Adhikari's security had been upgraded by the Union Government even during his time as Leader of the Opposition, following earlier threat inputs.
The STF is expected to formally brief media on the investigation's progress.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday, 31 July revealed that the terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) had targeted not only him but also another sitting member of the West Bengal cabinet. The disclosure came hours after the Special Task Force (STF) arrested a suspected JeM operative from Burdwan town in East Burdwan district.
The Arrest That Triggered the Warning
The STF detained a man identified as Hamim Mondal — local police had initially named him Hamid Mondal before correcting the record — on suspicion of being a JeM associate. Investigators recovered what they described as incriminating documents containing details of the Chief Minister's schedule from the suspect, leading STF sleuths to conclude that Adhikari may have been a primary target.
What the Chief Minister Said
Speaking to reporters, Adhikari confirmed that Minister of State Umesh Rai was also reportedly under the terrorist outfit's scanner. He declined to elaborate, citing the sensitivity of the matter and deferring to the STF for a formal briefing.
'It is not the question of my personal security alone. The question of national security is involved here. Hence, it would not be fair on my part to say more on this issue. The STF will brief the media on this matter. I learnt that our minister of state Umesh Rai was also under the scanner. Please do not ask me anything else. It is a very sensitive issue. Only the STF will brief the media on the matter,' the Chief Minister said.
He added: 'If the country is secure, everyone will be there. Politics will be there. The country will be there. You will be in your profession. We will also be there in the public field. The nation comes first.'
Suspect's Alleged Links to Pulwama Accused
According to sources aware of the investigation, Hamim Mondal reportedly had direct contact with the Sajjad Bhat Group based in Kashmir. Sajjad Bhat is named as the main accused in the Pulwama attack, and Mondal is believed, according to these sources, to be a close associate of Bhat. Investigators have not publicly confirmed the full extent of the alleged network.
Adhikari's Security History
This is not the first time Adhikari has faced a credible threat assessment. His security arrangements were periodically reviewed and upgraded by the Union Government even during his tenure as Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly under the previous All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) government. Central intelligence inputs had previously flagged him as a target of fundamentalist organisations, according to reports.
What Happens Next
The STF is expected to formally brief the media with further details of the investigation. Security arrangements for both Adhikari and Minister of State Umesh Rai are likely to come under fresh review. The arrest in East Burdwan underscores persistent concerns about JeM's alleged footprint in West Bengal, a pattern that investigators have flagged on earlier occasions as well.
Point of View
If verified, would mark a direct operational link between a post-Pulwama JeM network and Bengal's political establishment — a development that should unsettle both state and central security planners. Bengal has appeared in JeM-linked investigations before; the pattern of recruitment and sleeper activity in the state deserves sustained scrutiny, not episodic attention.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Hamim Mondal and why was he arrested?
Hamim Mondal is a suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed operative arrested by the STF from Burdwan town in East Burdwan district on 31 July. Investigators recovered documents containing West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari's schedule from him, leading authorities to believe Adhikari may have been a target.
Which West Bengal ministers did JeM allegedly target?
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari stated that both he and Minister of State Umesh Rai were reportedly under the scanner of the terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed. Adhikari declined to provide further details, deferring to the STF for a formal briefing.
What is the alleged link between Hamim Mondal and the Pulwama attack?
According to sources aware of the investigation, Hamim Mondal reportedly had direct contact with the Sajjad Bhat Group in Kashmir. Sajjad Bhat is named as the main accused in the Pulwama attack, and Mondal is believed to be a close associate of Bhat, though investigators have not publicly confirmed the full extent of the network.
Has Suvendu Adhikari faced security threats before?
Yes. The Union Government had periodically reviewed and upgraded Adhikari's security even when he was Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly during the previous TMC government. Central intelligence inputs had previously flagged him as a target of fundamentalist organisations.
What happens next in the investigation?
The STF is expected to formally brief the media on the investigation. Security arrangements for Adhikari and MoS Umesh Rai are likely to be reviewed. Investigators are believed to be probing the suspect's alleged connections to the Sajjad Bhat Group in Kashmir.
