West Bengal STF arrests 3 more suspected Pakistani spies in Cooch Behar

The three men were arrested late on Friday night from the Sahebganj area of Cooch Behar district in north Bengal, close to the India-Bangladesh border.

The arrested suspects have been identified as Rashidul Haque, Nur Nasiruddin Ali and Shafiqul Islam.

Investigators are questioning them to establish the nature and extent of their alleged activities.

According to preliminary findings by the STF, the three men were allegedly involved in espionage-related activities.

Investigators probe Indian SIM card route

STF sources said the suspects allegedly collected Indian mobile SIM cards and sent them to Bangladesh.

Investigators suspect the SIM cards were subsequently routed from Bangladesh to Pakistan.

The police are now examining the alleged cross-border network and the role played by the three arrested men.

The investigators are also trying to establish whether the suspects had direct contact with Pakistani intelligence operatives or other individuals involved in the alleged network.

Counterfeit currency allegations also under probe

Apart from the alleged movement of Indian SIM cards, police are investigating the suspects' possible involvement in the counterfeit currency trade.

The STF has launched a detailed investigation into the allegations and is examining whether the three men had links with other suspected Pakistani spies arrested in West Bengal earlier this month.

Their interrogation is expected to provide investigators with further information about the alleged network and its operations.

Arrest follows detention of Pakistani national

The latest arrests come days after the Bengal STF detained two people from separate locations in the state over their alleged links and activities connected with Pakistan.

Among them was Rana Rauf, also known as Wahab Alam, a Pakistani national from Faisalabad.

He was arrested on August 12 from Habra in North 24 Parganas district near the India-Bangladesh border following specific intelligence inputs.

The preliminary STF investigation reportedly indicated that Alam had alleged links with Pakistan's ISI, prompting the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to begin collecting information about him.

The NIA has contacted the Bengal STF seeking details of the investigation and information gathered so far, according to sources.

Five Nepal-based associates identified

Investigators also reportedly recovered data from a netbook found in Alam's possession.

Analysis of the material allegedly helped the STF identify five associates based in Nepal.

According to a source familiar with the investigation, Alam subsequently provided details during questioning about how the Nepal-based operators allegedly helped him maintain contact with his handlers in Pakistan.

The latest arrests have prompted investigators to examine whether Rashidul Haque, Nur Nasiruddin Ali and Shafiqul Islam had any contact with Alam or the five Nepal-based associates.

The STF is also trying to establish whether the three arrested men formed part of the same alleged network.

JeM associate arrested last month

The latest arrests come amid a series of counter-terror investigations in West Bengal.

Last month, the Bengal Police arrested Hamim Mondal from his rented accommodation in Burdwan town in East Burdwan district.

Police identified him as an alleged associate of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

Investigators are now examining whether the recent arrests in Cooch Behar are connected to the wider network of suspected Pakistan-linked operatives being investigated across the state.