Suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed operative arrested in Bengal, police say he was tracking CM

West Bengal Police's Special Task Force (STF) arrested a suspected member of the terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed from a rented accommodation in Bardhaman, about 100 km from Kolkata, late on Thursday. The arrested individual has been identified as Hamid Mondal, a resident of Howrah who had been living in Bardhaman for the past two months and working at a garment factory.

Police sources said that material recovered from Mondal's phone suggests he was collecting information about Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. He is suspected to be in touch with a handler based in Pakistan, according to the same sources. The STF and Bardhaman police are currently questioning Mondal to ascertain the extent of his activities and any possible local links.

Authorities have not yet released an official statement confirming the specific allegations, and the investigation is ongoing. The arrest comes amid heightened security concerns in the state, though officials have not indicated any immediate threat.

Jaish-e-Mohammed is a Pakistan-based militant group designated as a terrorist organization by India and several other countries. The police have not provided additional details about the nature of the information found on Mondal's phone or whether any other individuals are being probed.

Residents of the housing complex where Mondal was staying expressed surprise, describing him as quiet and unassuming. Local authorities have cordoned off the area for further investigation. The development has drawn attention to the state's internal security measures, with opposition parties likely to question the government's preparedness.