The West Bengal Special Task Force (STF) has stated that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) sought to build an independent spy network in the state by using a 22-year-old influencer from Jharkhand. Investigators say she communicated with Pakistani handlers through encrypted messaging apps.
The charges came to light following the arrest of Mohammad Hamim Mondal from Burdwan, whom the STF describes as an operative linked to Pakistani agents. Based on his statements, STF officers took Arpita Sarkar of Sahibganj, Jharkhand, into custody. Both detainees have been booked under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
According to the STF, Sarkar got to know Hamim through Instagram four years ago. Investigators assert that Pakistani agents subsequently established direct contact with her and set out to groom her for building an intelligence-gathering network in the state. The primary objective was to collect classified information by cultivating contacts with senior police officers and influential political figures.
STF officials said Sarkar kept in touch with her handlers using encrypted platforms, including Discord, Telegram, Element X, and Session. Investigators are currently sifting through data pulled from accounts believed to have been operating under the aliases “Rana,” “Uzair,” as well as the known identifiers “Abid Jatt333” and “Hammad.”
The investigation further claims that Hamim told Sarkar to stay off WhatsApp and to communicate through encrypted apps such as Discord. The police seized two mobile phones from Sarkar. An iPhone was confiscated from Hamim, along with two foreign SIM cards issued in the United Kingdom and Mexico. The seized devices have been sent to a forensic science laboratory for further analysis.