Howrah Man Held as STF Expands Investigation into Suspected JeM-Linked Network

The West Bengal Special Task Force (STF) on Monday arrested an alleged associate of a suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) operative from Howrah as part of an ongoing investigation into a suspected espionage network, underscoring continued counter-terrorism operations aimed at dismantling extremist-linked activities.

The accused, identified as Aditya Singh, also known by the aliases Raj and Raju, was apprehended from Belilious Road following leads obtained during the interrogation of alleged JeM operative Hamim Mondal and his alleged associate, Arpita Sarkar, officials said.

According to a senior STF officer, the arrest was made based on specific investigative leads, with authorities now working to identify and trace other individuals suspected of being connected to the alleged network. Officials declined to disclose further operational details, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.

Investigators suspect that Aditya Singh came into contact with Hamim Mondal through an online gaming platform before allegedly becoming involved in the broader conspiracy.

The STF further alleged that the accused collected information related to Minister of State for Urban Development Umesh Rai and his son and shared it with members of the suspected network. Authorities are examining the nature of the information exchanged and whether additional individuals played a role in facilitating the alleged activities.

The latest arrest marks another development in West Bengal's efforts to combat terror-linked and espionage-related activities, with security agencies intensifying investigations into suspected networks operating through both physical and digital channels. Officials said the probe remains active, and further arrests have not been ruled out as investigators continue to analyse evidence and pursue fresh leads.