UP ATS launches manhunt for ISI link in Mumbai

Search follows arrest of UP man who gave sensitive intel to Pakistani handlers

The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has initiated a manhunt for a suspect identified as Arman, who is a recruiter and talent scout for Pakistan’s ISI. The ATS team arrived in Mumbai after apprehending an individual in UP who was actively involved with the ISI, providing them with significant information about sensitive locations within the state. During his interrogation, Mohammed Raees disclosed crucial details about Arman’s involvement and the recruitment process he uses. The UP ATS revealed that, based on confidential information, undercover agents of Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI were operating in critical locations within the state, collecting sensitive information, and passing it on to the ISI for further action.

According to the ATS, Raees, a resident of Gonda in UP, had lived in Mumbai for several years. He worked various jobs, including at a bakery, and later shifted to wood polishing work. Raees has also claimed to have worked with a five-star hotel in Mumbai, handling veneer polish. Recently, he was exposed as an ISI agent who provided crucial and confidential information obtained through his contacts to the Pakistani agency. “During the investigation, videos of sensitive locations of the Indian Army and other defence establishments in UP were recovered from his cell phone,” Additional Director General (ADG) Naveen Arora, UP ATS, told mid-day.

According to the ATS, the suspect identified as Arman, around 65 years old, had allegedly brainwashed Raees by telling him of the alleged atrocities against Muslims and sensitising him to issues related to Babri Masjid. Subsequently, Raees expressed his interest in travelling to Saudi Arabia to secure a decent job. Arman then disclosed that he has contacts in Pakistan and offered to share Raees’ number with them. He even suggested that if Raees would work as per instructions of the Pakistani handler, he would receive good remuneration and a job opportunity in Mumbai.

According to the ATS, Raees revealed that in 2022, he received a call on WhatsApp from Pakistan. The person on the call mentioned Arman as a reference and connected Raees with their handler named Husain. As per Raees’ statement, Husain identified himself as a Pakistani spy and proposed that Raees work with him by providing sensitive information about army establishments. “Raees also influenced some of his friends and convinced them to work alongside him,” said Arora.

The ATS stated that they discovered two transactions in Raees’s account, amounting to R15,000 and R10,000, initiated by his handler. “After receiving these amounts, he became further motivated and began providing crucial details and videos of sensitive locations,” added Arora. During the investigation, it was revealed that Raees was using a WhatsApp number registered in Bangladeshi for all communications with the Pakistani handlers, who identified themselves as Husain, Mahraj and Danish.

Rs 25,000
Amount arrested suspect received in bank account

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