Suspected Pakistani Nationals Arrested Near Bangladesh Border on Espionage Charges
West Bengal's Special Task Force arrested two suspected Pakistani nationals near the Bangladesh border, accusing them of espionage. The men were attempting to enter Bangladesh with plans to travel to Nepal, where they had resided intermittently since 2012.
Key takeaways
- Two suspected Pakistani nationals were arrested by the West Bengal STF near the Bangladesh border.
- They face espionage charges and were attempting to travel to Nepal.
- Indian identification documents were seized from one suspect, who allegedly entered India in 2012.
- The suspects had allegedly been monitoring Indian Army and railway officials.
Two individuals suspected of being Pakistani nationals were apprehended by the West Bengal Police’s Special Task Force (STF) close to the Bangladesh border in the North 24 Parganas district. They have been formally charged with espionage.
What Happened
The STF arrested the two men, identified as Rana Rauf Khalid, also known as Wahab Alam, and Md Aziz, near the Benapole border. According to state lawyers, the pair were attempting to cross into Bangladesh with the ultimate objective of reaching Nepal. They had reportedly been living in Nepal for periods since 2012.
A court in Barasat ordered that both suspects be held in police custody until August 26. During interrogation, Khalid reportedly stated that Md Aziz, a resident of Kolkata’s Topsia area, assisted him in obtaining Indian identification documents, including an Aadhaar card and a voter identity card, bearing the name Wahab Alam. These documents were seized from Khalid.
STF lawyers informed the Barasat court that Khalid had initially entered India via Nepal in 2012. They allege that since his arrival, he has been monitoring the activities of certain Army and railway officials. Both suspects reportedly deleted data from their mobile phones prior to their apprehension.
Residents of Topsia, where Aziz primarily resided, indicated to media outlets that he had travelled to Nepal on multiple occasions with Rana Rauf Khalid and had also married a local woman there.
Key Facts
- Two suspected Pakistani nationals, Rana Rauf Khalid alias Wahab Alam and Md Aziz, were arrested by the West Bengal Police’s Special Task Force (STF).
- The arrests occurred near the Bangladesh border in the North 24 Parganas district.
- The suspects were charged with espionage.
- They were attempting to enter Bangladesh with the intention of traveling to Nepal.
- A Barasat court remanded the suspects into police custody until August 26.
- Indian documents, including an Aadhaar and voter identity card in the name of Wahab Alam, were seized from Khalid.
- Khalid allegedly entered India through Nepal in 2012 and had been tracking Army and railway officials' movements.
- Both suspects deleted data from their mobile phones before being apprehended.
- Md Aziz, who lives in Kolkata’s Topsia area, allegedly helped Khalid procure the Indian documents.
- Aziz reportedly traveled to Nepal multiple times with Khalid and married a local woman there.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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