New Delhi, March 16 (NationPress) The Ghaziabad Police have apprehended six individuals linked to an espionage operation orchestrated by agents from Pakistan. Investigators discovered that the suspects primarily targeted locations in Mumbai and the National Capital Region (NCR).

During interrogations, the detained individuals disclosed that they were compensated by Pakistani nationals to extract and relay confidential information.

The payments for these assignments varied, typically falling between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000.

Instructions to gather intelligence on sensitive sites were communicated via WhatsApp by a Pakistani overseer, whose number was traced back to Pakistan.

The suspects admitted to recording critical locations in Mumbai and the NCR, including deployment sites of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP), as well as security agency offices.

Among their activities, they also filmed various railway stations. Notably, they had set up a hidden camera at the Delhi Cantt Railway Station several months ago, providing their Pakistani handlers with real-time footage of the station and its vicinity.

Upon discovering that sensitive information regarding railway infrastructure, defense zones, and government facilities had been transmitted, authorities issued an alert.

The individuals arrested include Raj Valmiki (19) from Auraiya, Siva Valmiki (20) from Badaun, Ritik Gangwar (23) from Shahjahanpur, Suhai Malik (23) from Bijnor, and Sane Iram (25), also known as Mehak, from Kaushambi.

Eight mobile devices used for filming sensitive areas and transmitting data to Pakistan were confiscated from the suspects.

They face charges under Sections 152 and 61(2) of the BNS, as well as Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act.

Additionally, authorities have determined that multiple photographs were disseminated, with call records to the Pakistani handler currently under review.

Some of the information has been erased, and efforts to recover it are underway.

Investigators revealed that these individuals were also instructed to recruit additional members, aiming to expand this espionage network and accumulate further intelligence.

An official highlighted the concerning nature of the network, particularly the installation of a camera at the Delhi Cantt Railway Station, which facilitates live surveillance of sensitive areas. This capability could potentially be exploited for planning terrorist activities.

Railway stations and India’s railway systems have long been targets for Pakistani operatives, noted another official.

This incident follows closely on the heels of six individuals from Masuri being charged under UAPA for engaging with banned terrorist factions and distributing propaganda via WhatsApp.

Since the initiation of 'Operation Sindoor', intelligence agencies have observed a troubling trend of increased espionage efforts by Pakistan within India.

Pakistani intelligence (ISI) has even sought to engage social media influencers to gather intelligence on India.

Influencer Jyoti Malhotra was reportedly directed to post content on her YouTube channel that portrayed Pakistan positively.

An official from the Intelligence Bureau remarked that such activities are likely to escalate, necessitating heightened vigilance from agencies.

Nationwide operations have been carried out by the National Investigation Agency along with state police, resulting in the dismantling of several espionage networks.