Hapur Police Arrest Two Alleged ISI-Linked Operatives for Spying on Religious Sites
In a significant security breakthrough, police in Hapur district have apprehended two alleged operatives connected to a Pakistan-based gangster network. The arrests were made from the Dhaulana area on Thursday, with the accused suspected of transmitting sensitive information about religious sites and key locations to their handlers across the border.
Details of the Arrest and Accused
The individuals taken into custody have been identified as Azeem Rana, a resident of Peeplehda in Dhaulana, and Azad Rajput from Jai village in Meerut district. Dhaulana police conducted the operation, recovering two mobile phones from their possession during the arrest.
Preliminary investigations, as reported by news agency PTI, reveal that Rana operated a dry fruits stall at a mall in Delhi, while Rajput worked as a contractor at a pipe factory in Gurugram. Despite their seemingly ordinary occupations, authorities allege they were engaged in clandestine activities with international implications.
Connection to Pakistan-Based Network
According to Superintendent of Police Kunwar Gyananjay Singh, the duo had been in contact with an ISI-backed network linked to Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti since December 2025. Their communication occurred primarily through social media platforms, facilitating their alleged espionage activities.
During interrogation, the accused admitted to sharing photographs, videos, and precise location details of several sensitive sites with their handlers. These included:
- A metro station area in west Delhi
- A nearby temple and adjoining residential colonies
- A temple in the Bisrakh area of Greater Noida
Police officials added that the suspects had also conducted reconnaissance of a prominent temple in Delhi, indicating a systematic approach to gathering intelligence.
Potential Terror Threat and Investigation
The information was being shared on direct instructions from the Pakistan-based handler, raising serious suspicions of a possible larger conspiracy targeting religious places. Authorities fear the data could have been intended for planning a major terror attack, drawing parallels to past incidents that have shaken the nation.
The arrests followed specific inputs from central intelligence agencies, prompting a coordinated response. Multiple agencies, including the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), have joined the probe and are actively questioning the accused to uncover further details.
Ongoing Efforts and Security Implications
Police are currently focused on several critical aspects of the investigation:
- Identifying other members of the network who may still be at large
- Tracing the broader links and connections of the arrested individuals
- Verifying local contacts of the duo in the Dhaulana area to assess potential local support structures
This case highlights the evolving nature of cross-border threats, where seemingly ordinary individuals can be recruited through digital platforms to conduct surveillance on sensitive locations. The use of social media and messaging applications like WhatsApp for such activities presents new challenges for law enforcement agencies.
The Hapur police operation underscores the continuous vigilance required to protect national security interests, particularly concerning religious sites that could be potential targets. As the investigation progresses, authorities remain alert to prevent any possible threats stemming from this network.
