Police arrest woman linked to political honey trap network

West Bengal Police Special Task Force officials recently dismantled a suspected espionage ring targeting high-ranking state leaders. Officers arrested Arpita Sarkar from Sahebgunj, Jharkhand, on Friday, bringing her to Bardhaman for extensive questioning. Investigators identified her as the close associate and girlfriend of Mohammad Hamim Mondal, a suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed operative whom the STF captured at his rented apartment inside a Bardhaman housing complex on Thursday.

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Honey Trap Operations and Political Targets

Mondal allegedly directed Sarkar to build a network designed to lure targets and collect sensitive personal data from influential politicians in West Bengal. Recovered WhatsApp conversations between the couple revealed their ongoing communication and operational plans. Authorities suspect Mondal operates within an ISI-backed module tasked with laying the groundwork for future terror activities in the state, recruiting new members, and monitoring VIPs. Jaish-e-Mohammed has historically tried to establish sleeper cells in eastern India to bypass heightened security along the western borders.

Quoting an official, news agency PTI reported that Sarkar functioned as a primary asset in this honey-trap system. The official stated, "Our investigation suggests that the accused attempted to build a network to access sensitive personal information of certain political personalities." He further noted that law enforcement is heavily verifying digital evidence and closely examining her exact role. Police want to determine if this gathered intelligence was meant for planning physical attacks.

Tracking Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari

Preliminary probes indicate Mondal actively tracked the daily movements and specific convoy routes of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. Responding to the operative's arrest on Friday, Adhikari acknowledged the gravity of the situation. He stated, "It's a sensitive issue. STF and senior police officers are handling the case. He may have international connections; the police are investigating." Security agencies continue to dig deeper into the exact scope of this cross-border intelligence operation.