ISI's Shadow in Kolkata - The First Security Challenge Before the New Bengal Government

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ISI's Shadow in Kolkata - The First Security Challenge Before the New Bengal Government

In December 2025, the National Investigation Agency or NIA filed a case in Delhi. Based on the clues in that case, the name of Kolkata's Zafar Riaz alias Rizvi came to the fore. Allegedly, he was spying in India for Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI. Recently, the NIA arrested him from Kolkata.


What are the charges against Zafar Riaz? 

The NIA said that Pakistani intelligence officers, i.e. PIOs, recruited Zafar into their ranks. He was lured financially. He was also allegedly promised Pakistani citizenship. Zafar Riaz is married to a Pakistani woman, which has added a new dimension to the investigation. 


His main job was to provide Pakistani intelligence officers with the one-time password or OTP of Indian mobile numbers. Using this OTP, the PIOs would open WhatsApp accounts. Using that account, they would secretly communicate with other agents in India. 


Where is the connection? 

 The investigation has revealed the name of Moti Ram Jat. He is a former Assistant Sub-Inspector of CRPF. In May 2025, the NIA arrested him. Later, he was dismissed from service. Allegedly, since 2023, Moti Ram had been smuggling secret security information to Pakistani intelligence. The PIOs used to communicate with Moti Ram through WhatsApp opened in the OTP given by Zafar Riaz. 


This incident proves how deep Pakistan's spy network has spread. Not only the border areas, but their agents are also active in metropolitan cities like Kolkata.


Under what section is the case? 

Multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (BNS) have been brought against Zafar Riaz. Along with the Official Secrets Act and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). These three laws are very strict in terms of national security.


NIA's big operation 

In May 2025, the NIA conducted searches in 8 states simultaneously to investigate this case.  A total of 15 raids were conducted in Delhi, Maharashtra, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Assam and West Bengal. This shows that this gang is not limited to Bengal alone. Its network is spread across the country.


Challenges before the new Bengal government 

West Bengal shares a long border with Bangladesh. Infiltration, fake notes, arms smuggling, and espionage have also come to the fore. When the new government comes to power, this security issue will have to be addressed first. 


The first challenge will be center-state coordination. NIA is a central agency. Future success depends on how smoothly the exchange of information with the intelligence department of the state police is. Secondly, panic cannot be spread among the common people. At the same time, it must be seen that no innocent person is harassed. 


Thirdly, there is already a debate in the state about CAA and NRC. After such arrests, that debate can flare up again. Therefore, the first test of the new government will be to handle the situation with political maturity. 


The NIA said that investigations are underway to find the rest of the people involved in this gang. This incident in Kolkata has clearly shown that no state is safe when it comes to national security. The new government will therefore have to be vigilant from day one.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1C6fx6285o/

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https://x.com/sanchitach98627/status/2058068651241279548?s=20

Reported by Sanchita chatterjee. 

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