- By Raju Kumar
- Fri, 31 Jul 2026 03:54 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
- Suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist arrested in Purba Bardhaman.
- Documents on CM Suvendu Adhikari's activities recovered.
- Accused allegedly linked to ISI and Sajjad Bhat group.
Bengal News: In a joint operation by the Special Task Force (STF) and district police in West Bengal's Purba Bardhaman district, a suspected terrorist, Mohammad Hamid Mandal, allegedly linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed, was arrested on Friday.
Investigative agencies claimed that documents related to West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari's activities, VIP movements, and security arrangements have been recovered from the accused. Based on these documents, a potential attack on the Chief Minister is suspected.
Police Seek Remand
According to police, the accused was arrested during a raid at the Renaissance Housing Complex in Bardhaman on Friday morning. He was produced in court, and police remand was sought. Investigative agencies were trying to find out who else he was in contact with and whether he had links to any larger terrorist network or module.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that the accused worked in a textile factory in the Peelkhana area of Howrah and moved to Bardhaman about two months ago, living in a rented house.
Suspect Terrorist Was In Contact With Pakistan's ISI
According to intelligence sources, he had received training in Pakistan and was allegedly in contact with the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI. His links to the Sajjad Bhat group, affiliated with Jaish-e-Mohammed, are also being investigated.
Mandal Had No Social Interaction With The Locals
According to locals, Mandal lived with his family and had little movement or interaction in the neighbourhood. Given the seriousness of the case, security has been tightened in the state. The Special Task Force (STF) and the West Bengal Police are investigating the entire network.
Officials said further significant revelations may emerge in this case after the interrogation is completed. However, no detailed official confirmation of the claims of a conspiracy to assassinate the chief minister has been publicly released by the investigating agencies.
Mandal Was Living In Rented Flat
The Special Task Force (STF) arrested Mandal from a rented house in a housing complex in Burdwan city. According to police sources, He had been living in that flat for the past two to three months to evade law enforcement agencies.
Police said Mandal is suspected to be linked to the Pakistan-based banned terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed and is believed to be a close associate of Sajjad Bhat, accused of being one of the main conspirators of the 2019 Pulwama terror attack.
Safe Haven Was Built For Radical Islamic Groups During The TMC Regime: BJP
BJP spokesperson Debjit alleged that West Bengal had been a safe haven for radical Islamic groups for decades, during the Left Front's 34-year rule and the TMC government's 15-year rule.
(With Jagran.com inputs)