A Pakistan-based terrorist-criminal organisation known as the Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) systematically targeted the family members of at least six sitting West Bengal cabinet ministers through Arpita Sarkar, the female aide of suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) associate Hamim Mondal, according to findings from an ongoing investigation by the Special Task Force (STF) of the Bengal Police. The operation, centred on honey-trapping and classified information extraction, was coordinated via encrypted messages across multiple social media platforms.

How the Operation Was Structured

According to investigators, Sarkar was initially recruited into the network by Mondal, who subsequently introduced her to SBN handlers based in Pakistan. Over time, the handlers began bypassing Mondal entirely, contacting Sarkar independently and issuing instructions directly to her — a sign, sources said, of how valuable they considered her access and reach.

Beyond the families of cabinet ministers, investigators have also found that other influential figures within West Bengal's administrative machinery were targeted through Sarkar as part of the same honey-trapping scheme. Her social media reels, circulated across multiple platforms, reportedly served as the primary tool to attract targets.

Arrests and Evidence Seized

Both Mondal and Sarkar were arrested last week by STF sleuths. Mondal was the first to be taken into custody, apprehended from Burdwan town in East Burdwan district of West Bengal on a Friday morning. Sarkar — also a social media influencer — was arrested the same night from Sahibganj in neighbouring Jharkhand.

Two mobile phones belonging to Sarkar have been seized by the STF. Forensic and cyber experts are reportedly working to decrypt coded and encrypted communications exchanged between Sarkar and the SBN handlers stored on these devices.

Pakistani Handlers and International SIM Cards

Following interrogation of both accused, investigators tracked multiple social media handles — identified as 'Rana', 'Uzair', 'Abid Jat333', and 'Hamad', among others — all of which are believed to belong to Pakistani operatives. Notably, these handlers also reportedly used SIM cards registered in Britain and Mexico, pointing to a deliberate effort to obscure their digital trail and complicate jurisdictional tracing.

What the Investigation Has Established So Far

According to sources familiar with the investigation, initial findings indicate that Sarkar was tasked with cultivating contacts among influential individuals in West Bengal — including politicians — with the sole objective of extracting classified information. During interrogation, Mondal reportedly confessed to having introduced Sarkar to the SBN network.

This case represents a significant escalation in the documented reach of Pakistan-based terror-linked networks into Indian state-level political circles. The STF investigation is ongoing, and further arrests have not been ruled out, sources said.