West Bengal STF Arrests Pakistani National and Associate Over Suspected ISI Links
The Special Task Force (STF) of the West Bengal Police has arrested two individuals, including a Pakistani national, from North 24 Parganas district’s Bangaon and Kolkata’s Topsia area over alleged ties to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
What Happened
According to STF Inspector General Gaurav Sharma, the primary accused, Rana Rauf, is originally from Faisalabad in Pakistan. Officials stated that Rauf left Pakistan in 2012 and settled in Kathmandu, Nepal, where he married. He subsequently came into contact with ISI operatives and officials from the Pakistan High Commission, who allegedly tasked him with gathering intelligence inside India.
Police stated that Rauf traveled to India approximately six times since 2012, crossing the Nepal border via Raxaul in Bihar and traveling by train to West Bengal. To operate undetected, Rauf assumed the identity of Wahab Alam, the late father of his local associate, Muhammed Izaz. Izaz allegedly assisted Rauf in procuring forged Indian identification documents, including a Passport, Aadhaar Card, and Voter ID.
Following an internal tip-off, the STF searched Rauf’s premises in Topsia and apprehended him in Bangaon near the India-Bangladesh border. Based on disclosures during interrogation, police subsequently arrested Izaz from Topsia. Officials reported that Rauf had traveled to Bangaon planning to cross into Bangladesh after his fraudulent name was struck off the voter list during a Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
Key Highlights
- Suspects Arrested: Pakistani national Rana Rauf and his local associate Muhammed Izaz were apprehended by the West Bengal STF.
- Espionage Targets: Electronic devices and documents seized from Rauf revealed sensitive information relating to the Indian Army and the Indian Railways.
- Operational Route: The suspect entered India from Kathmandu through Raxaul, Bihar, making around six visits since 2012 under an assumed identity.
- Document Forgery: Izaz allegedly arranged counterfeit Aadhaar, Voter ID, and Passport documents under his deceased father’s name.
Why This Matters
The arrest highlights ongoing cross-border intelligence-gathering operations targeting critical national infrastructure and defence networks. STF investigators confirmed the recovery of substantial sensitive data regarding the Indian Railways and the Indian Army from digital storage devices in the suspect’s possession.
What to Watch Next
STF investigators are working to trace additional operatives linked to Rauf across West Bengal, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Police are also examining the digital devices to establish the communication channels and methods used to transmit classified information across the border.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the operation?
The West Bengal STF arrested Rana Rauf, a Pakistani national from Faisalabad, along with Muhammed Izaz, an Indian resident accused of providing him with fraudulent identity documents.
What sensitive information was allegedly compromised?
STF officials stated that devices seized from Rana Rauf contained sensitive data pertaining to the Indian Army and Indian Railways.
Why was Rana Rauf attempting to flee to Bangladesh?
Police noted that Rauf grew concerned after his forged identity was removed from the voter registry during a Special Intensive Revision, prompting him to head towards Bangaon to reach Pakistani contacts in Bangladesh.
Source: The Hindu