Varanasi & Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh: The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Uttar Pradesh Police has apprehended two individuals accused of espionage and cross-border smuggling activities allegedly linked to Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI.
Tufail Arrested in Varanasi for Espionage and Provocative Propaganda
According to a statement released by the Uttar Pradesh ATS, Tufail is accused of circulating videos of Maulana Shah Rizvi—leader of the banned Pakistani extremist outfit Tehreek-e-Labbaik—through various WhatsApp groups. Alongside these videos, he allegedly shared provocative messages advocating for ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind,’ seeking retribution for the Babri Masjid demolition, and calling for the imposition of Sharia law in India.
During the course of the investigation, officials discovered that the accused, Tufail, had allegedly been sharing photographs of several sensitive locations in Varanasi—including Rajghat, Namo Ghat, Gyanvapi, the city’s railway station, and even the iconic Red Fort—with contacts based in Pakistan. Authorities believe this information may have been intended for intelligence gathering by hostile entities.
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Source: The Indian Express
Further probing revealed that Tufail had reportedly circulated WhatsApp group links throughout Varanasi. These groups are suspected of serving as digital conduits between local individuals and operatives associated with Pakistani intelligence networks.
Shehzad Apprehended in Moradabad for Espionage and Smuggling Facilitation
In a related operation, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) on Sunday apprehended another individual from Moradabad. The man is accused of not only spying for Pakistan’s intelligence agency but also facilitating cross-border smuggling activities.
The Uttar Pradesh police acted on a crucial intelligence tip-off indicating that an individual operating near the India-Pakistan border was involved in smuggling activities allegedly backed by a Pakistani agency. According to the informant, the suspect was also believed to be working as a spy for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and participating in anti-national operations.
Acting swiftly on the information, law enforcement officials launched a covert investigation and identified the suspect as Shehzad, a resident of the Tanda area in Rampur district. He was apprehended in Moradabad on Sunday, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) confirmed in an official statement.
Subsequent evidence collection led to the registration of a formal case at the ATS police station. Shehzad has been booked under multiple charges, including acts that threaten the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India.
Further investigation uncovered that Shehzad had allegedly been involved in distributing funds to ISI-linked operatives within India, acting under the direct instructions of Pakistani handlers.
He is also accused of recruiting individuals from Rampur and other regions of Uttar Pradesh under false pretenses. According to investigators, he misled them into believing they were being sent to Pakistan for smuggling-related work, while the true objective was to engage them in espionage activities on behalf of the ISI.
Officials further revealed that ISI operatives facilitated their travel by arranging visas and documentation. Additionally, the accused, identified as Shehzad, allegedly provided Indian SIM cards to these agents, enabling covert communication and intelligence gathering within the country.
WhatsApp Groups Used for Cross-Border Propaganda
Further probing revealed that Tufail had reportedly circulated WhatsApp group links throughout Varanasi. These groups are suspected of serving as digital conduits between local individuals and operatives associated with Pakistani intelligence networks.