Ghaziabad Espionage Case Deepens: Nine More Arrested, Total Suspects Rises to 15
In a significant development in the alleged Pakistan-linked espionage case that surfaced last week, police in Ghaziabad have taken nine more individuals into custody. This brings the total number of suspects apprehended to 15, as authorities continue to unravel a network accused of filming and sharing sensitive information about various locations in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai with handlers based in Pakistan.
Details of the Latest Arrests and Suspects
The nine new arrests, made following the initial round of six detentions on March 14, include five minors aged between 15 and 17 years. These minors hail from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, highlighting the widespread geographic reach of the alleged operation. Among the adult suspects arrested in this latest phase are Ganesh Giri, a 20-year-old citizen of Nepal; Vivek Rai, an 18-year-old from Bihar; Gagan Kumar Prajapati, a 22-year-old from Meerut; and Durgesh Nishad, a 26-year-old from Jaunpur.
Police revealed that interrogation of the six suspects arrested earlier led investigators to these additional individuals. A special investigation team (SIT) has been constituted to spearhead the probe, underscoring the seriousness with which authorities are treating this case.
Modus Operandi: Solar-Powered CCTV Cameras and Digital Payments
The espionage ring's alleged methods involved the installation of at least two solar-powered, SIM-enabled CCTV cameras at strategic locations. On Wednesday, one such device was removed from Sonipat railway station, while another was discovered and seized at Delhi Cantonment station following the initial arrests. These cameras, powered by solar energy and equipped with SIM cards for connectivity, were reportedly used to capture footage of various sites.
According to police, the photos and videos obtained were sent to a Pakistani mobile number via WhatsApp. In exchange for this information, payments were made through Unified Payments Interface (UPI), indicating a sophisticated use of digital financial tools to facilitate the alleged espionage activities.
Origins of the Investigation and Key Absconding Suspects
The intelligence that sparked this investigation came from beat constable Vinesh Chaudhary, who received tips during routine patrols in the Bhowapur area of Ghaziabad. He reported suspicious individuals installing solar-powered CCTV cameras in the Delhi Cantonment area, prompting a follow-up probe that uncovered the broader network.
Additional Commissioner of Police Raj Karan Nayyar disclosed that two suspects, believed to be the main organizers of the group, remain at large. Identified as Naushad Ali and Sameer alias Shooter, both from Bihar, police are actively pursuing their capture as the investigation progresses.
Context of Previous Arrests and Broader Implications
The six individuals arrested on March 14 include Suhai Malik (23) from Bijnor, Sane Iram (25) from Ghaziabad, Raj Valmiki (19) from Auraiya, Siva Valmiki (20) from Badaun, and Ritik Gangwar (23) from Shahjahanpur. Their arrests marked the beginning of this unfolding case, which has now expanded significantly with the latest detentions.
This espionage case emerges against a backdrop of heightened regional tensions, including conflicts such as the Israel-Iran war, where similar surveillance and intelligence-gathering activities are of critical concern. While not directly linked, the case underscores ongoing security challenges in the region.
As the SIT delves deeper into the network's operations, authorities are examining potential connections, motivations, and the full scope of information compromised. The involvement of minors raises additional concerns about recruitment and exploitation within such espionage rings.
