SIM card smuggling, counterfeit currency notes: 3 arrested in West Bengal over suspected Pakistan-based ISI links

An official said on Saturday that the three accused were arrested for their alleged involvement in espionage activities linked to Pakistan’s ISI.

Published on: Aug 15, 2026, 19:17:05 IST

Edited by HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

In a major development, the West Bengal Special Task Force (STF) arrested three individuals from Cooch Behar district for their alleged links to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

The investigators have revealed that the three accused may have been operating undercover within India as ISI agents. (PTI)

An official said on Saturday that the three accused were arrested for their alleged involvement in espionage activities linked to Pakistan’s ISI, news agency PTI reported.

Also Read | ‘I want it immediately’: NSA Ajit Doval reveals first question PM Modi asked after Pahalgam terror attack

Who are the accused?

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

They were apprehended late Friday evening from the Sahebganj area of Dinahata, north Bengal.

Undercover ISI agents, Indian SIM cards, and more - What the investigation reveals

The investigators have revealed that the three accused may have been operating undercover within Indian territory as ISI agents.

They have been accused of smuggling Indian SIM cards for mobile phones to Pakistan via Bangladesh.

According to PTI, an official in the state police STF said that the trio was also allegedly involved in the production of counterfeit currency notes.

Also Read | Bengaluru security guard arrested for alleged plot against Pakistan Army, TTP links emerge

Remanded in police custody

The accused were produced in court on Saturday and remanded in police custody for 14 days.

Also Read | ISI-backed terror module busted in Amritsar; 4 minors among 9 arrested

Operative linked to JeM busted

Earlier, Hamim Mondal, a suspected operative linked to the Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and the Shahzad Bhatti gang, was nabbed from Bardhaman on July 31.

Arpita Sarkar, Mondal’s associate and girlfriend, was also apprehended from Sahibgunj, Jharkhand. Meanwhile, another associate, Aditya Singh alias Raju, was arrested in Howrah.

Following the arrests, four more people were arrested.

Rana Rauf's arrest

Among the arrested individuals was Pakistani national Rana Rauf, alias Wahab Alam, who was nabbed near the Bangladesh border. He had entered India through Nepal in 2012 and had used forged Indian identity documents to conduct surveillance on several installations across the state.

He had also reportedly kept an eye on sensitive locations in Kolkata, the state capital.

(with inputs from PTI)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather major national developments and Karnataka Bandh LIVE.