A man from Varanasi has been arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) on allegations of spying for Pakistan and sharing sensitive information. The arrest highlights the ongoing concerns about cross-border espionage and national security threats.
Initial reports suggest the accused was in possession of contact details linked to over 600 Pakistani numbers, raising alarms about a potentially deep-rooted espionage network operating within India. Investigations indicate that the suspect was in constant communication with handlers across the border and may have been leaking sensitive information. Authorities are currently investigating his connections and how he managed to infiltrate Indian systems undetected.
This arrest is considered a significant breakthrough for Indian intelligence agencies, particularly at a time when covert operations from Pakistan continue to pose a threat to national security. Sources within the ATS confirm that the accused had been under surveillance for several weeks and was apprehended just before he could transmit more critical data. Officials have not ruled out potential links to Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)-backed modules, and further interrogations are underway to ascertain the full extent of the spy network and its objectives.
The Uttar Pradesh Police's Special Task Force (STF) recently arrested a businessman from Rampur for similar offences. The accused, identified as Shahzad, was taken into custody in Moradabad following intelligence reports of his involvement in cross-border smuggling and espionage activities for Pakistan. Shahzad had reportedly been providing sensitive national security-related information to handlers in Pakistan. Investigations revealed that his smuggling activities served as a cover for covert operations on behalf of the ISI.
Shahzad allegedly facilitated ISI operations within India by providing money and Indian SIM cards to ISI agents. He was also involved in recruiting individuals from Rampur and other parts of Uttar Pradesh and sending them to Pakistan to work for the ISI, arranging their visas and travel documents through ISI agents.
These arrests are part of a broader crackdown on espionage activities linked to Pakistan. In a sweeping nationwide operation, Indian security agencies have arrested multiple individuals across Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh for allegedly spying for Pakistan. The suspects come from various backgrounds, including students, a travel vlogger, a security guard, and app developers. They were reportedly lured into Pakistan's spy network through monetary incentives, social media manipulation, and direct contact with Pakistani handlers, including officials from the Pakistani High Commission.
One notable case involves Jyoti Malhotra, a travel YouTuber from Haryana, who was arrested for allegedly leaking sensitive information. She had traveled to Pakistan multiple times and was in contact with a Pakistani High Commission official. Her travel videos and visits to sensitive locations are under scrutiny to determine if they were part of an intelligence-gathering operation.
Another case involves Ansarul Miya Ansari, a Pakistani operative arrested in Delhi for gathering sensitive information related to the Indian Armed Forces. Ansari was allegedly recruited and radicalized during a visit to Pakistan, where he received espionage training. The investigation also revealed the involvement of staffers at the Pakistani High Commission in Delhi, who are believed to have aided ISI officers in cultivating Indian influencers for intelligence purposes.
These recent arrests underscore the persistent threat of espionage and the ongoing efforts by Pakistani intelligence agencies to gather sensitive information and potentially destabilize India. Indian security agencies remain vigilant in their efforts to counter these threats and protect national security. The investigations are ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as authorities delve deeper into these espionage networks.
