Police sources said they lived in adjoining flats at 8 Sil Lane, Shibpur, where Abdullah’s father Amir alias Faizal Khan had settled after arriving from Kabul around 2014 and starting a garment business. Howrah: Howrah City Police’s detective department suspects Abdullah Khan and Niyamat Khan who were arrested from Kharibari border acted as agents of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen.
Sources linked the flats and pavement stalls to TMC ward 36 leader Shamim Ahmed alias Barre, currently jailed in another case. Police sources said Amir later entered property promotion and fled on May 4, 2026. Local leader Masud Alam Khan alleged Shamim mentored the family, facilitated property dealings, and should be interrogated. Investigators allege Abdullah and Niyamat shifted to producing forged Aadhaar, voter, PAN, Swasthya Sathi, visa and identity documents, mainly for illegal foreign nationals. Police shared findings with Bengal STF. Barre’s family has denied the allegations.