Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata

Kolkata, Aug 17: The Special Task Force (STF) of the West Bengal Police has arrested two persons for allegedly attempting to create a jihadi module in the state inspired by the ideology of Al Qaeda, police said on Monday.

Acting on a tip-off, STF personnel conducted raids in the Bhangar and Birlapur areas of South 24 Parganas district on Sunday. Janadul Baig was arrested from Bhangar, while Shafiq Sheikh was apprehended from Birlapur. They are scheduled to be produced before the Alipore court on Monday.

According to police, the two accused allegedly used social media to circulate anti-national and anti-government propaganda. A complaint in this connection had been lodged at Nodakhali police station, following which the STF took up the investigation.

Investigators said the accused had allegedly created two social media pages and were using them to spread propaganda and expand their organisation. Police suspect that they were attempting to form a module inspired by Al Qaeda and were allegedly trying to recruit youths through social media.

Intelligence inputs also indicated that the accused were allegedly attempting to procure weapons, police sources said.

The arrests come amid a series of STF operations in West Bengal.

Recently, the state STF arrested Hamim Mondal from East Burdwan district for his alleged links with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the network of Pakistani gangster Shahzad Bhatti.

Last week, the STF arrested Pakistani national Wahab Alam alias Rana Rauf from Habra in North 24 Parganas district. During his interrogation, Muhammed Izaz was arrested from Kolkata's Topsia area for allegedly acting as his associate.

The STF is expected to seek custody of Baig and Sheikh for further interrogation. Investigators are probing their alleged network, recruitment activities and possible links with other operatives.