A man named Shamsul Hoda — said to be an agent of Pakistan's spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) — has reportedly been arrested in connection with at least three derailments in India. It is not clear yet as to when he will be brought to India, although it can be on Tuesday itself.
At least three FIRs have been registered against Hoda over derailments in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. All three derailments had led to heavy loss of life. The derailment of the Indore-Patna Express in the Kanpur Dehat district alone had led to nearly 150 deaths.
The derailment cases had been taken over by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) ever since it emerged that the ISI could be involved in them. It was one of the suspects in the case — Brij Giri — who confessed to the police about the Pakistani spy agency's involvement. The NIA and the Nepal Police joined hands to arrest Hoda, who was in Dubai when Giri was arrested and interrogated.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Pashupati Upadhyaya told reporters that Hoda was detained from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, and later arrested. It has now emerged that Hoda — along with three others suspects — had actually been deported from Dubai to Nepal, and Interpol helped that happen. All four were detained from the airport.
"The Nepal police will also closely coordinate with the Indian Police for Hoda's alleged involvement in criminal activities in India," added Upadhyaya. Hoda apparently has several criminal cases lodged against him in Nepal as well.
