Following the arrest of Arpita Sarkar (22), girlfriend of suspected Jaish terrorist Hamim Mandal, a Bengal court remanded her in custody of the 13-day Special Task Force.
Investigators say that Arpita and Hamim are facing charges of associating with ISI-backed modules, monitoring VIP leaders, and assisting in honey-trapping the son of an influential political leader. The Benhal STF officials arrested Arpita on Saturday after discovering suspicious social media chats linking her to a Pakistani handler
Why Was Arpita Arrested?
The police had arrested Arpita after reviewing an Instagram chat between her and Hamim. “She helped Hamim in establishing contacts with influential political figures and gathering information about them. We are examining digital evidence and ascertaining the exact nature of his role,” an STF official said.
According to the official, the two were involved in a relationship for the past four years, which started on Instagram. However, Arpita and Hamim had been in contact with operatives of the Pakistani terrorist organization for the last few months.
Hamim Mandal recently inducted Arpita Sarkar into the module, after which she began taking orders directly from her handlers in Pakistan, STF IG Gaurav Sharma said. On Hamim’s instructions, Arpita was involved in honey-trapping the son of a Bengal minister, he added.
Suspicious Handlers, Foreign Sim Cards
Four Pakistani handles-Abir Jat333, Uzair, Rana, and Hamad-were allegedly giving instructions to Arpita from various social media platforms, claimed Sharma. Sharma said, “It is suspected that these handles are linked to the Shahzad Bhatti gang of Pakistan. Through these, radical propaganda was spread, and youth were made victims of brainwashing. These Pakistani handles also used SIM cards of Britain and Mexico.”
22-year-old Arpita Sarkar, originally hailing from Barharwa in the Sahibganj district, Jharkhand. Her grandparents live in Kolkata. Arpita is an English Honors graduate from BSK College in Barharwa. Arpita is a budding social media influencer whose Instagram feed is filled with motorcycle rides and travel reels.