Kolkata: The West Bengal Special Task Force has arrested a suspected Pakistani national and another man in connection with an alleged espionage network operating in the state, with investigators examining possible links to Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI.
Rana Rauf, also known as Wahab Alam and reportedly from Faisalabad in Pakistan, was arrested late Tuesday in Habra, North 24 Parganas, following information about his movement towards the Bongaon border. Authorities are investigating his activities, contacts and alleged use of Indian identity documents.
Investigators believe Rauf entered India illegally through Nepal in 2012 before settling in West Bengal. Several Indian identity cards were allegedly recovered from him, including an Aadhaar card carrying an address in Topsia, Kolkata.
The STF suspects Rauf had been monitoring railway movements and activities involving the armed forces. Investigators also found indications that he was observing strategically important locations in Kolkata, including Fort William. He allegedly collected photographs, videos and maps of the facility and was planning to travel to Bangladesh through the Petrapole border.
Rauf reportedly destroyed his mobile phone before his arrest, and no electronic device was recovered. However, investigators found a notebook containing several phone numbers, including contacts linked to Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Two SIM cards were also recovered.
Authorities are examining whether he passed sensitive information concerning the railways and Indian Navy to Pakistan and what specific information he may have gathered.
The second accused, Mohammad Ejaz, was arrested from Topsia in Kolkata. Investigators suspect he remained in direct contact with Rauf and helped him obtain Indian identity documents.
The arrests followed information gathered during the questioning of Hamim Mondal, who was among three people arrested in a module allegedly operating in Purba Bardhaman. Investigators are now examining whether Mondal and Rauf were directly connected.
The STF is also probing possible links with banned terrorist organisations and whether the accused were planning any subversive activity ahead of Independence Day. Both Rauf and Ejaz were subsequently remanded in 14 day police custody by a court in Barasat.
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