Espionage Network Uncovered: Three Kashmir Residents Arrested in Arunachal Pradesh for Alleged Pakistan Links

3 Kashmir Residents With Alleged Pak Link Arrested In Arunachal

The third accused, Hilal Ahmed, was residing in Arunachal Pradesh's Aalo town prior to his arrest.

Guwahati/New Delhi:

Authorities have apprehended a 26-year-old man from Jammu and Kashmir in Arunachal Pradesh's West Siang district on allegations of espionage activities for Pakistan, according to sources. This marks the third arrest in this particular case within a span of several weeks.

The suspect, identified as Hilal Ahmed, had been residing in the district's Aalo town before police in the Himalayan border state took him into custody on Friday night. He allegedly transmitted sensitive information to handlers in Pakistan, sources revealed.

Earlier, the first suspect in this case, Nazir Ahmad Malik, was arrested on November 22 for allegedly gathering and transmitting information regarding troop movements in the region. Malik is a resident of Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district.

Following this, authorities arrested the second suspect, Sabir Ahmed Mir, also a Kupwara resident, from Arunachal Pradesh's capital Itanagar.

The presence of these three individuals in Arunachal Pradesh, more than 3,000 km away from Jammu and Kashmir, suggests a broader conspiracy to activate "anti-national elements in the region," according to sources.

West Siang Superintendent of Police Kardak Riba stated that the Jammu and Kashmir resident arrested Friday night had traveled to Arunachal Pradesh's Papum Pare on November 25 to attend a trade fair.

He possessed a valid Inner Line Permit (ILP), and other documents in his possession appeared legitimate, sources mentioned.

However, intelligence indicating "potentially dangerous behavior" prompted police to make the arrest. He has subsequently been transferred to police custody in Itanagar.

In the initial case involving Nazir Ahmad Malik, police filed a first information report (FIR) following his arrest from Chimpu village in Itanagar district. The police action came after analyzing "credible and actionable" intelligence regarding his movements in their jurisdiction.

During interrogation, Malik allegedly confessed to sending information about army installations via the Telegram app to handlers in Pakistan. He reportedly received instructions on planting basic explosives and initiating arson aimed at destabilizing security establishments.

Police discovered incriminating Telegram messages on two mobile phones confiscated from him, sources said.

The interrogation of Malik led authorities to the second suspect, Sabir Ahmed Mir, in Itanagar's Abotani Colony.

Mir had allegedly established contact with the same Pakistan-based handler who was guiding the other two suspects through the Telegram app. The handler reportedly assigned him the task of finding ways to facilitate illegal entry of Pakistani nationals into India, though specific details remain unclear.

"We received critical intelligence from outside Arunachal Pradesh. Based on those alerts, our teams apprehended both suspects. Their primary handler, believed to be operating from outside the state, remains at large. Both arrested individuals are in judicial custody. We are investigating this case with utmost diligence as it concerns national security," stated a senior police officer who requested anonymity.

According to the FIR, deleted data recovered from Mir's phone reinforced suspicions about his involvement in the network. A preliminary police assessment alleges that the accused were sharing confidential information, coordinating with "hostile foreign operatives," and participating in a broader attempt to disturb public order and national security.

The case against the three accused has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with provisions of the Official Secrets Act and the Arunachal Pradesh Act.

The investigation continues, with police suspecting more individuals may be operating as part of a larger network.

This development in Arunachal Pradesh comes approximately one month after authorities dismantled a terror module in Haryana's Faridabad. In that case, a terrorist launched a car bomb attack near Delhi's Red Fort, resulting in 15 fatalities.