Detectives from the West Bengal Police’s Special Task Force (STF) have uncovered crucial details of an international espionage network following the arrest of suspected ISI operative Rana Rauf Khalid on Wednesday. Despite attempts to destroy evidence, including smashing his mobile phone, investigators were able to retrieve vital information from his diary and notebook.
According to STF sources, the recovered notebook contained the names of at least six foreign operatives linked to the network—five believed to be based in Nepal and one in Bangladesh. The Nepal-based agents have been identified as Kashif, Hanif Chowdhury, Sohail, JD, and Harun Safdar, while the Bangladesh-based operative has been named as Pavel.
Rana, who was operating under aliases such as Sunny and Wahab Alam, was arrested in Habra. His associate, Mohammad Ejaz, was subsequently detained in Topsia for allegedly providing logistical support. Preliminary investigations have also revealed the involvement of two additional residents from East Kolkata.
Officials stated that Khalid had been transmitting sensitive information, including photographs and videos of army cantonments around Kolkata, Border Security Force (BSF) camps near border regions, railway stations, tracks, and strategic maps. These materials were reportedly shared through digital applications with the Nepal-based agents.
Investigators noted that while Rana destroyed his mobile phone in an attempt to eliminate digital evidence during his stay in Nepal, he failed to dispose of two SIM cards, which are now in STF custody and are expected to yield further leads.
The probe has also uncovered details of a planned cross-border movement. Following a covert meeting in Kathmandu, Rana intended to travel to Bangladesh via Bongaon. Authorities believe that the Bangladesh-based agent, Pavel, was waiting for him in Jashore with a new mobile device. Khalid allegedly planned to insert his existing SIM card into the new phone to re-establish communication links with contacts in Nepal and Pakistan.
At the time of his arrest, Rana attempted to mislead authorities by presenting an Aadhaar card and voter ID under the name Wahab Alam, claiming residency in Topsia. However, inconsistencies in his statements, particularly when questioned about identity documentation and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), raised suspicions. During sustained interrogation, he eventually confessed to being a Pakistani national.
Police sources confirmed that only Rs 350 was recovered from Khalid at the time of his detention. Authorities have indicated that information regarding the broader spy network is being shared with the governments of Nepal and Bangladesh through the Ministry of External Affairs as part of ongoing international coordination.
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