Is an ISI agent leaking sensitive information arrested in Pokhran?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Jaipur, Jan 30 (NationPress) The Intelligence Wing of the Rajasthan Police has apprehended a local individual from the Pokhran region of Jaisalmer district for allegedly engaging in espionage on behalf of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
Addressing the media, Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence) Prafull Kumar stated that the suspect has been accused of transmitting critical and strategically significant information pertaining to the Indian Army to handlers across the border.
According to ADGP Kumar, the arrest was a result of persistent surveillance and intelligence inputs indicating a rise in espionage activities by Pakistani agencies in the border regions of Rajasthan.
“In response to these inputs, Rajasthan Intelligence launched a targeted technical and human intelligence operation, which ultimately led to the identification of the individual. Continuous observation of anti-national elements is being conducted throughout the state,” he remarked.
ADGP Kumar noted that during this operation, the actions of Jhabararam, a 28-year-old resident of Nedan village under the Sankra police station limits in Pokhran, raised suspicions.
“Further technical analysis indicated that he was in consistent contact with Pakistani intelligence handlers via various social media platforms. Interrogation and forensic examination of the accused's mobile device revealed alarming details,” he added.
ADGP Kumar explained that Jhabararam was coerced into the espionage network through a honeytrap and monetary incentives.
“In exchange for financial compensation, he reportedly disclosed confidential information regarding Indian Army movements and installations. Investigators also uncovered that the accused provided the One-Time Password (OTP) for a SIM card registered in his name to his Pakistani handlers. This SIM card was subsequently utilized to activate WhatsApp, which became a crucial communication tool for executing anti-national activities,” he elaborated.
After initial verification, Jhabararam was taken to the Central Interrogation Centre in Jaipur, where he was interrogated collaboratively by Rajasthan Police Intelligence, Military Intelligence, and other central security agencies.
ADGP Kumar concluded that following the validation of evidence, the Rajasthan Intelligence Agency registered a case under the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and formally arrested the suspect on Friday, January 30.
“Further investigations are ongoing to uncover additional connections and evaluate the extent of the compromised information,” ADGP Kumar noted.