Bengal STF probe Jaish man's plot to create trouble at Jantar Mantar
West Bengal Police have arrested Arpita Sarkar, an alleged accomplice of suspected terrorist Hamim Mondal, for her involvement in a plot to incite unrest at Jantar Mantar. Investigators believe the duo was part of an ISI-backed network involved in intelligence gathering and honey-trapping influential figures.
Why it matters
The case highlights ongoing national security concerns regarding foreign-backed terror modules operating within India and their attempts to exploit domestic political protests.
KOLKATA/BURDWAN: West Bengal Police STF on Saturday arrested suspected terrorist Hamim Mondal's girlfriend, Arpita Sarkar, from Sahibganj in Jharkhand and said they are probing the duo's alleged plan to foment trouble at Jantar Mantar, the site of recent student protest.Hamim, who was allegedly tracking Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, was arrested from a residential township in Burdwan Friday."Hamim was working under instructions received through social media and encrypted messaging apps from individuals using Pakistani handles and phone numbers. He was instructed to buy police uniforms and head to Jantar Mantar in Delhi with a group of men and women to create disturbance there. We are yet to ascertain whether he was able to build that team and travel to Delhi," said STF IG Gaurav Sharma.The STF tracked down Arpita while investigating Hamim's alleged links with Pakistan-based terror outfits.
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