The Special Task Force in Bengal revealed that suspected Jaish terrorist Hamim Mandal had been surveilling the residence of Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari in Kolkata’s Chinar Park for several days.
Mandal, however, was unable to capture any photos or videos of the residence due to the heavy security presence in the area.
Pakistani Handlers Instructed Him To Evade Security
During interrogation, Mandal disclosed that his Pakistani handlers had instructed him to evade security and CCTV surveillance. He also admitted to frequently utilising app-based ride services to monitor the Chief Minister’s movements.
Hamim Mandal along with his two associates, Arpita Sarkar and Aditya Singh, are under the custody of the Bengal Special Task Force custody. Besides Jaish-e-Mohammed, Mandal also has alleged links to the Pakistan-based terrorist-criminal group Shahzad Bhatti Network.
The questioning also revealed that Mandal, with his associate Arpita Sarkar, had targeted families of six people from the Cabinet. The list also includes influential people in the city.
Hamim’s Arrest
The Bengal STF had arrested Hamim Mandal from a gym in a residential complex in West Bengal’s East Burdwan on Thursday. The STF claims he was in contact with the network of Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI, notorious gangster Shahzad Bhatti, and Pulwama attack-accused Sajjad Bhat. Sarkar had been brought to Bardhaman on transit remand, and after taking custody from the court.
Two days later, the Bengal STF also arrested his girlfriend, Arpita Sarkar, from Jharkhand’s Sahibganj. According to the officials, Arpita was not just an acquaintance but also a key member of the terror outfit.Police have found Arpita’s link with several Pakistan-based social media handles. The woman is involved in honey-trapping, including the son of a Bengal minister,