The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) arrested a suspected agent of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency from Faizabad on Wednesday. ATS officials are presently interrogating the suspected agent while an investigation is currently underway.
The man has been identified as Aftab Ali and hails from the Khwaspura village of Faizabad, the UP ATS said in a press release. It added that Ali was allegedly trained as a spy agent by the ISI in Pakistan and was constantly in touch with officials from the Pakistan High Commission in India. Ali had also met with an official from the High Commission, the identity of whom is still being verified. The release further added that more arrests could be made in connection with the case.
Inspector General Asim Arun said that the ATS has strong evidence to prove that Ali is an ISI agent. Officials recovered his phone, which contained pictures of the cantonment area and several chat messages that could be used as evidence against Ali. Details of Ali's bank accounts will also be looked into. However, sources in the ATS told International Business Times India that officials are looking for more evidence against the suspected ISI agent.
Ali was arrested in a joint operation by the UP ATS, Military Intelligence Faizabad and the UP Intelligence under the leadership of Additional Superintendent of Police Rajesh Sahni. "The ATS had been receiving tip-offs that information about India's military activities were being conveyed to the Pakistan High Commission and the ISI. Therefore, the Lucknow ATS put electronic surveillance on Ali and also kept a track on his movements following which he was arrested in a joint operation on May 3, 2017. Another suspect was also detained along with Ali. He is currently being interrogated and if evidence is found against him, strict action will be taken in accordance with the law."