The Uttar Pradesh Police’s Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) arrested a man suspected of spying for Pakistan’s intelligence agency and smuggling goods across the India-Pakistan border. The arrest followed a tip-off that a local resident was involved in illegal activities with support from Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
The suspect, identified as Shehzad from Tanda in Rampur district, was tracked and arrested in Moradabad, The Indian Express reported. Police investigations revealed that Shehzad had been secretly crossing the border for several years, while smuggling cosmetics, clothes, spices, and other items. He also allegedly worked as an ISI agent, maintaining regular contact with their operatives and sharing sensitive information related to India’s security, the report said.
Further inquiries have revealed that Shehzad reportedly provided financial support to ISI agents residing in India and was involved in recruiting people from Rampur and other regions of Uttar Pradesh.
These recruits were sent to Pakistan under the pretense of smuggling but were intended to work for the ISI. The police also found that ISI handlers managed their visas and travel documents and that Shehzad allegedly supplied Indian SIM cards to ISI operatives to assist in spying activities.
The ATS has registered a case against him for actions threatening India’s sovereignty, unity, and integrity.
This arrest comes shortly after Haryana Police detained travel blogger Jyoti Rani on similar charges. Rani was accused of sharing sensitive information with a Pakistan High Commission official and was taken into custody from Hisar district. She faces charges under the Official Secrets Act and laws protecting India’s sovereignty and unity, with the court granting five days of police custody.