A 22-year-old aspiring social media influencer from Jharkhand has been arrested by the West Bengal Special Task Force (STF) for her alleged involvement in a Pakistan-linked terror module, officials said on Saturday. The woman, identified as Arpita Sarkar, allegedly helped her boyfriend Mohammad Hamim Mondal, a suspected Jaish operative, establish contact with influential individuals and carry out honey-trapping activities as part of the network’s instructions.
Sarkar was arrested from Barharwa in Jharkhand’s Sahibganj district, around 300 km from Kolkata, a day after Mondal was arrested from a gated residential complex in Burdwan.
Digital evidence leads STF to alleged role of Arpita Sarkar
STF officials said digital evidence, including Instagram conversations between Sarkar and Mondal, played a key role in the investigation. Officers alleged that Sarkar assisted Mondal in building contacts with influential political figures and gathering their details.
An STF officer said investigators were examining digital evidence to determine the exact extent of her involvement.
According to officials, Sarkar and Mondal had been in a relationship for nearly four years after meeting through Instagram before their connection moved offline. However, investigators believe their alleged links with Pakistan-based handlers developed only in recent months.
STF alleges honey-trapping role and communication with Pakistan handlers
STF Inspector General Gaurav Sharma said Mondal allegedly introduced Sarkar to the module, following which she began receiving instructions from Pakistan-based handlers.
Sharma alleged that Sarkar was involved in honey-trapping the son of a West Bengal minister on Mondal’s instructions. He said investigators believe she was aware of her actions.
The STF is also attempting to access encrypted conversations between the accused and examining whether any foreign funding was involved, officials said.
Suspected terror module allegedly targeted VIPs and planned unrest
Investigators believe Mondal was part of a wider network allegedly backed by Pakistan’s intelligence-linked operatives, with activities involving surveillance of VIPs, recruitment of members and attempts to expand the module in West Bengal.
Officials alleged that Mondal received instructions through social media platforms and encrypted applications from Pakistani numbers and online handles. He was allegedly directed to procure police uniforms and gather a group to travel to Jantar Mantar in Delhi, the site of a recent student protest, to create unrest.
The STF said it was still verifying whether Mondal was able to form such a group or travel to Delhi.
Four Pakistan-based handles under scanner
The STF said communications linked to the alleged network took place through platforms including WhatsApp, Telegram, Element X and Session.
Officials have identified four Pakistan-based handles, Abir Jat333, Uzair, Rana and Hamad, which were allegedly used to issue instructions. Sharma said investigators suspect these handles were linked to Pakistan’s Shahzad Bhatti gang.
The STF alleged that the accounts were used to spread extremist propaganda and target young people for radicalisation. Officials also claimed that some SIM cards used by these handles were from Britain and Mexico.
Probe examines Sarkar’s Kolkata visits and background
Investigators are also examining Sarkar’s frequent visits to her maternal grandparents in Kolkata during her college years. Officials are looking into whether these visits provided opportunities for her and Mondal to meet beyond their online communication.
Sarkar, who holds an English Honours degree from BSK College in Barharwa, was described online as an aspiring influencer known for motorcycle ride and travel reels.
Mondal, a second-year college dropout, allegedly posed as an IT employee after his family relocated to a Burdwan township three months ago. His family originally belonged to Dirghanagar village under Monteswar police station in East Burdwan, while his father had been settled in Howrah’s Pilkhana since 1998 for work.
Arpita Sarkar sent to STF custody
Sarkar was produced before a Burdwan court and sent to STF custody for 13 days.
The STF said the investigation is at an early stage and more arrests may follow as officials continue examining the alleged network and digital evidence.
(With inputs from TOI)
