A man from West Bengal has landed under intense police scrutiny after posting photos of himself alongside individuals identified as his "friends from Pakistan," with all parties seen posing with firearms. The images, shared via the man’s Facebook story, have raised major security concerns at a time when India remains on heightened alert following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack.
The photos, uploaded from Nadia district, showed the young man along with others brandishing what appeared to be AK-47-style rifles. His story was captioned "Pakistani bhaiya," a term of endearment meaning "Pakistani brothers," which immediately set off alarm bells among authorities, given the current volatile atmosphere between India and Pakistan.
"The young man is currently under the scanner. A case has been registered at the Krishnagar Kotwali police station on Saturday, and a detailed investigation is underway. His Facebook activity is being meticulously analysed by our cyber and intelligence units," a senior official of the West Bengal Police told India Today. Investigators are combing through the suspect’s social media footprint to unearth any deeper links or communications that could suggest suspicious activity.
According to police sources, the youth was swiftly identified through local intelligence networks shortly after the police were alerted about the concerning images. "He was last spotted in his native village during the last Eid festival," a source revealed, adding that his sudden disappearance since then had already drawn local attention. His parents are now under questioning, and their accounts are being cross-verified as part of the ongoing probe.
The preliminary investigation has unearthed key details about the man’s recent history. Three years ago, he reportedly left home and travelled to Qatar in search of employment. After spending nearly two years abroad, he returned to India but did not go back to his village. Instead, he moved to Mumbai where, according to police sources, he found work at a relative’s hotel. This nomadic pattern of movement, especially in light of the recent discovery, has heightened suspicions about his activities and affiliations.
"At this point, nothing is being ruled out," a top police officer stated. "The man’s association with individuals from Pakistan during his time abroad is a critical lead. We are treating the matter with utmost seriousness and leaving no stone unturned in tracing him and investigating any possible links to extremist groups."
During police questioning, the youth’s parents revealed an important piece of information: he was ostracized from the village three years ago after he allegedly eloped with a married Hindu woman. Following this scandal, they claim to have severed all ties with him. Their statement has been officially recorded, though police are still working to independently verify the details.
Meanwhile, security agencies across India are maintaining the highest level of alertness. On April 22, a devastating terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam claimed the lives of 26 innocent tourists, plunging the nation into grief and outrage. The attack was orchestrated by the Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the notorious Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group. TRF has publicly claimed responsibility for the massacre, further straining already fraught relations between New Delhi and Islamabad.
In the aftermath, the Indian government has downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan, imposed a fresh wave of punitive measures, and escalated counter-terrorism operations nationwide. New Delhi has once again reiterated its long-standing accusations against Islamabad for perpetuating cross-border terrorism — an allegation that Pakistan continues to deny.
The West Bengal incident, though local in scale, has been flagged as a potential national security concern, especially given the wider regional context. Intelligence agencies are monitoring the situation closely, and additional arrests or detentions could follow depending on the outcome of the ongoing investigations.
