Srinagar, Dec 23: A major development has emerged in the investigation of a suspected espionage network in Arunachal Pradesh, with Itanagar Police arresting two men from Kupwara district in Jammu and Kashmir for allegedly spying for Pakistan-based handlers.
Inspector General of Police (Law and Order), Chukhu Apa said the arrests were made on December 18, after which the suspects were brought to Arunachal Pradesh for detailed interrogation. With their detention, the total number of accused in the case has increased to five.
Officials claimed that the arrested individuals, identified as Ajaz Ahmad Bhat and Bashir Ahmad Ganai, were collecting sensitive information from various locations across Arunachal Pradesh, a strategically significant border state, and passing it on to contacts across the border. Due to national security concerns, officials have not disclosed details about the nature of the intelligence or the specific sites involved.
“We are waiting for the forensic report. The preliminary investigation revealed that they are sharing sensitive information to the handlers across the country. Our investigation is on and further details will be rolled out during our investigation,” the IGP said.
Earlier, on November 21, the police had arrested Nazir Ahmad Malik and Sabir Ahmed Mir, both residents of Kupwara district in Jammu and Kashmir, after receiving credible information about their possible involvement in espionage activities. Subsequently, another accused, Shabir Ahmed Khan, who also belongs to Kupwara, was arrested from Itanagar.
Authorities said the possibility of more arrests cannot be ruled out as the probe continues. The case has triggered serious security concerns, leading to close coordination between state police, central intelligence agencies, and other security forces deployed in the region.
