The Special Task Force (STF) of the West Bengal Police on Monday arrested a suspected associate of alleged Pakistani intelligence operative Rana Rauf, who was earlier apprehended in connection with an alleged espionage network operating from Kolkata, a senior officer said.
The accused, identified as Imran, was arrested from a flat in the Topsia area of the city, the officer said.
Imran allegedly helped Rauf obtain passport
According to the STF, Imran allegedly assisted Rauf in his attempts to obtain an Indian passport using forged documents.
"The investigation has revealed that Imran was allegedly assisting Rauf in arranging documents for an Indian passport. We are examining his links with other members of the network and verifying the documents and other material recovered during the investigation," the officer said.
Investigators suspect that more people could be involved in the alleged operation and are working to trace them.
Rauf was arrested last week in Habra in North 24-Parganas district. The STF suspects he is a native of Faisalabad in Pakistan and had links with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
According to investigators, Rauf entered India in 2012 using forged documents after spending several years in Nepal.
STF probes alleged espionage links
The STF suspects that Rauf had been passing information related to the Indian Army and railways to alleged handlers in Pakistan.
Investigators have also obtained details of a Pakistani passport allegedly used by Rauf. STF sources said the passport had been sent to Dhaka for travel arrangements for a proposed journey from Dhaka to Karachi.
"The passport details have provided investigators with additional leads as they probe Rauf's movements and his alleged links with others," the officer said.
Probe into alleged sleeper cell network
The STF is also investigating allegations that Rauf was trying to obtain an Indian passport before the start of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in West Bengal.
Investigators suspect Imran and others were helping him with the process. Police are also probing allegations that Imran was involved in preparing passports using forged documents.
The agency is examining whether the group was attempting to establish alleged sleeper cells of militants with Kolkata as a base.
"We are investigating the larger conspiracy and the possible involvement of other persons. At this stage, our priority is to identify every link in the network, establish their roles and verify the suspected activities," the senior STF officer said.
Imran is currently being questioned, while investigators are examining his alleged contacts with Rauf and other suspected members of the network.