Kolkata — The West Bengal Special Task Force (STF) announced on Saturday, August 1, 2026, that a terror suspect named Hamim Mondal was apprehended the previous day, July 31, 2026. Authorities revealed that Mondal aimed to execute subversive actions during protests organized by the Cockroach Janta Party in Delhi.
In a related action, his associate, Arpita Sarkar, was detained in Sahebganj, Jharkhand, and subsequently transferred to Kolkata for further questioning. STF Inspector-General Gaurav Sharma disclosed details of the investigation, highlighting that Mondal had received instructions from **Pakistani groups** to procure a police uniform and infiltrate the student protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, where he planned to incite violence.
Targeting Political Figures
STF officials further reported that the suspect had intentions to target West Bengal’s Chief Minister, **Suvendu Adhikari**, alongside various politicians and several police personnel. Inspector-General Sharma emphasized that Mondal was tasked with surveilling the Chief Minister’s movements to identify possible security vulnerabilities.
“Hamim had relationships with multiple Pakistani outfits. There are many more on our radar who we are yet to arrest,” Sharma added, indicating a broader investigation into potential accomplices. He characterized the situation as a case of brainwashing linked to radical propaganda.
Connections to Terror Organizations
Sharma mentioned that Mondal is suspected of having ties with the **Pakistan-based Shehzad Bhatti gang** and other terror organizations. The police recovered various gadgets and documents from the suspects, which are currently under analysis. They are also scrutinizing bank account transactions and encrypted communications to understand the scope of their plans.
Mondal was apprehended by a six-member STF team and has since been presented in court, where he was placed in **14 days’ police custody**. Investigators revealed that he attempted to use Sarkar to orchestrate a honey-trap scheme aimed at abducting a State Minister’s son from Howrah, prompting the police to take action based on intelligence reports.
Government’s Stance on Terrorism
Minister **Shankar Ghosh** addressed the media on August 1, 2026, remarking, “West Bengal has become a haven for terrorism, and our police force, along with our Chief Minister, are committed to eradicating all forms of violence, terrorism, and criminal activity.” This assertion underlines the state’s ongoing efforts to combat rising instances of terror-related activities.
