Bengaluru: A man from West Bengal employed at a jewellery shop in Kalaburagi has been detained by central intelligence officials and local police over suspected links with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a Pakistan-based terrorist organisation.

The suspect, identified as Mamatazwul Malik, worked at a jewellery establishment in Saraf Bazaar alongside his brother. Preliminary information suggests that investigators are examining his alleged online communications with individuals suspected of having links to the organisation.

Malik was taken into custody during an operation within the jurisdiction of Brahmapur police station. Officials are questioning him to establish the nature of the alleged communications and determine whether they indicate involvement in any unlawful activity.

The allegations against Malik remain under investigation, and authorities have not publicly disclosed details of the evidence collected in the case.

Investigators examine alleged online communications

According to preliminary information, investigators suspect that Malik used social media platforms to communicate with individuals allegedly associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba and shared information through online messages.

The authorities are examining the nature and context of these communications to determine whether they were connected to any criminal activity.

Digital evidence, online interactions and communication records could be important in establishing whether the suspected links involved unlawful conduct. Further action in Malik’s case will depend on the findings of the investigation.

The detention comes amid investigations by security agencies in Karnataka into suspected contacts between individuals in the state and people allegedly associated with Pakistan-based networks.

NIA arrests Bidar resident in separate investigation

In a separate case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Vishal Metre, a resident of Yanakoor village in Bhalki taluk of Bidar district, on October 1 over suspected links with Pakistan-based individual Shahzad Bhatti and others.

Local police assisted the NIA during the operation.

An FIR was subsequently registered against seven people. According to the case details, investigators suspect that Metre was in contact with Shahzad Bhatti and Rana Hunein through WhatsApp and Instagram.

The complaint reportedly refers to conversations concerning the procurement and transportation of illegal weapons. The allegations are part of a separate investigation and have not been established as facts through a judicial finding in the information available.

Investigators are examining the alleged communications and the possible involvement of other individuals.

Uttar Pradesh man arrested in Davanagere district

Another case cited in connection with suspected online extremist contacts involved a 20-year-old man named Suhail, originally from Uttar Pradesh, who was arrested in a village in Harihar taluk of Davanagere district in June 2026.

According to the available information, Suhail was reportedly living in the area while working as a painter when intelligence inputs led to his arrest by the NIA.

Investigators suspected that he had maintained online contact with Pakistan-based extremist organisations and foreign handlers. They also examined whether his activities had been influenced by extremist content.

The details of this case remain separate from the investigation involving Malik in Kalaburagi.

Security agencies examine possible networks

The cases have drawn attention to the role of online communications in investigations into suspected extremist links. Security agencies are examining whether the interactions under scrutiny involved isolated contacts or formed part of wider networks.

Such investigations may involve analysing digital records, establishing the identities of online contacts and determining whether communications were associated with specific criminal plans.

In Malik’s case, officials are continuing their inquiry to establish the nature of the suspected links and whether any other individuals were involved.

No conclusion has been announced regarding the allegations against him. Further developments are expected as investigators examine the available evidence.