Why Was an Afghan National Arrested at Bhubaneswar Airport?
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Synopsis
An Afghan national, Mohammad Yousaf, was arrested at Bhubaneswar Airport for entering India with a forged passport. Investigations reveal a network of forged identity documents aiding his illegal residency since 2018. This incident raises serious concerns about immigration fraud in India.
Key Takeaways
- Mohammad Yousaf was arrested for using a forged passport.
- He has lived in Cuttack under a false identity since 2018.
- Multiple forged identity documents were obtained.
- Authorities are investigating the immigration fraud network.
- Other Afghan nationals have also come under scrutiny.
New Delhi, June 23 (NationPress) An Afghan national, Mohammad Yousaf, also known as Yaha Khan, was apprehended at Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar. He had entered India using a forged Indian passport and had been residing in Cuttack under a false identity since 2018.
The arrest was initiated after the immigration authorities raised concerns about the validity of the documents provided by Yousaf, leading to the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) at the Airport Police Station.
Yousaf had presented an Indian passport issued in the name of “Yaha Khan, S/o Moti Khan, Cuttack.” However, checks in the system revealed a Look-Out Circular from Kolkata Airport that confirmed his real identity as Mohammad Yousaf, an Afghan citizen with an authentic Afghan passport.
Investigations showed that Yousaf had unlawfully entered India in 2018 and settled in the Petinmati locality under Puri Ghat police jurisdiction in Cuttack. He had fraudulently acquired various Indian identity documents, including Aadhaar, PAN card, voter ID, driving license, and even a gas connection using these forged details.
With these documents, he could live and operate under a false Indian identity, facilitating travel within India and possibly abroad.
Following his arrest, coordinated searches by the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissionerate and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) resulted in the confiscation of numerous forged identity documents, cash, foreign currency, gold earrings, mobile phones, and other valuables. Yousaf confessed to creating and utilizing the fake documents for business and living in Odisha.
Authorities suspect that the forged passport may have enabled multiple international trips, prompting the NIA to investigate potential lapses that permitted him to obtain Indian documents. There are also concerns about possible collusion with local agents or officials in the forgery scheme.
In a related investigation, three other Afghan nationals living in Cuttack—Alam Khan, Sher Khan, and Amir Khan—are under police scrutiny for possessing forged Indian documents and illegally residing in India.
The inquiry into this fraudulent identity network is ongoing, with information being relayed to central intelligence and passport authorities.
Earlier on Sunday, Assam Police detained four Afghan nationals in the Hatigaon area of Guwahati for living in the country without valid documentation.
Acting on a tip-off, police raided a rented property near Little Flower School and arrested four individuals: Aman Khan, Rizwan Khan, Yusuf Zahid, and Asif Rana.
A senior police official reported that these individuals had been residing in Assam since 2015 without any legal authorization.
Point of View
I stand firmly with the nation's pursuit of justice and integrity. The arrest of Mohammad Yousaf exposes significant vulnerabilities in our immigration system. It is crucial that we address these gaps to ensure the safety and security of our citizens.
NationPress
23/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested at Bhubaneswar Airport?
An Afghan national named Mohammad Yousaf, also known as Yaha Khan, was arrested.
Why was he arrested?
He was arrested for entering India on a forged passport and living under a false identity since 2018.
What documents did he forge?
Yousaf fraudulently obtained various identity documents, including Aadhaar, PAN card, and driving license.
What is the ongoing investigation about?
Authorities are investigating a possible network of forged documents and potential collusion with local agents.
Have other Afghan nationals been arrested?
Yes, three other Afghan nationals and four in Guwahati were also arrested for possessing forged Indian documents.
