The West Bengal Special Task Force (STF) on Wednesday arrested a Pakistani national suspected of having links with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) near the India-Bangladesh border. He is suspected of being involved in espionage and terrorist activities.
He has been identified as Rana Rauf. He was living in India under the name Wahab Alam. He was found in possession of fake identity documents. He was attempting to flee to Bangladesh. He was arrested in Bangaon, 24 Parganas district.
Came to India via Nepal in 2012
According to STF sources, Rauf is originally a resident of Faisalabad, Pakistan. He came to India via Nepal in 2012 and subsequently started living in West Bengal.
Initial investigation has revealed that he was sending critical information related to senior Indian officials to Pakistan.
Documents related to railway stations and army found
During the search, officials found sensitive material in his possession. This includes photographs of railway stations across the country, train movements, and railway tracks. Documents related to the Indian Army were also found.
According to investigators, Rauf had sent these photographs to several phone numbers. The STF is now identifying people associated with these numbers. It is also being investigated whether any money was received in exchange for this information.
Investigators are also gathering information about Rauf’s contacts in West Bengal. Additionally, efforts are being made to find out who was supposed to receive him across the border in Bangladesh.
Kolkata carpenter forged documents
During interrogation, Raut revealed that a carpenter living in the Topsia area of Kolkata had helped him get fake Indian documents made. These include voter cards and Aadhaar cards.
According to STF, Rauf and Carpenter had met in Nepal before coming to India. After Rauf’s statement, STF arrested Carpenter. His interrogation is ongoing, so that other possible people connected to the network can be identified.
Attempt to flee to Bangladesh after carpenter’s arrest
STF sources said that Carpenter was recently arrested on suspicion of being involved in terrorist activities. After getting information about this, Raut tried to flee to Bangladesh.
Based on confirmed information received about his escape plan, STF conducted a search operation in Bongaon on Wednesday morning. Raut was caught during this operation.
Previous arrests in Bengal STF operations
Raut’s arrest has come at a time when Bengal STF has taken action in several high-profile cases recently. Police had recently arrested Hamim Mandal, a suspect linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), from a residential township in Bardhaman.
Hamim is accused of monitoring the movements of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Following this action, police arrested Mandal’s associate Arpita Sarkar from Jharkhand.
Additionally, Howrah college student Aditya Singh was also arrested. He is accused of providing information to Mandal.
Minister says – Report suspicious people immediately
On the arrests, West Bengal Minister Agnimitra Paul said, “Our government has been in charge for only three months. The previous government allowed illegal infiltration for electoral gains, now our administration is working to eliminate the problems associated with it.”
She said, “It will take time to completely eliminate these deep-rooted networks. Sleeper cells exist. We appeal to all citizens to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious person to the authorities.”
