Pakistan-linked spy ring busted in Ghaziabad: 3 more arrested for sharing data on sensitive sites, including Khatu Shyam Temple in Rajasthan

Three more individuals are held by authorities in the Ghaziabad espionage case.
The three arrested accused. (Source: @ghaziabadpolice/X)

The police in Ghaziabad have recently dismantled an espionage ring, taking three more accused into custody on 24th March (Tuesday). This network recorded military facilities, religious spots like Khatu Shyam, railway stations and other critical sites in the country and sent their photographs, videos and GPS coordinates to foreign handlers. The three men have been identified as Sameer, also known as Shoote,r who hails from Bhagalpur in Bihar, Sameer from Shamli in Uttar Pradesh and Shivraj, a native of Uttar Pradesh’s Shahjahanpur.

“Mobile phones have been confiscated from them. Sameer, a primary accused, was in touch with Naushad, who has already been caught. Afterwards, he also joined their various WhatsApp groups, which were employed to send visuals and GPS locations of all the areas he explored. The second accused was in communication with both Meera and Nausha,d after which he was also linked to the smuggling of weapons and likewise sent visuals and GPS locations of significant places in India to outsiders. Shivraj, at the behest of Sahil, installed a CCTV camera in Sonipat in exchange for Rs 50,000. He was also sharing visuals and GPS locations with the foreign contacts. The matter is currently under inquiry,” a senior police official revealed.

“On 14th March, the Kaushambi police station in Ghaziabad was informed about certain suspicious youths who were sharing GPS locations, photographs and videos of significant locations, including sensitive establishments like railway stations, on foreign mobile numbers. Afterwards, the police acted swiftly and invoked relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Official Secrets Act to file a case at the police station. To date, 18 individuals have been nabbed,” the official informed earlier.

Young men and women in need of financial assistance with some expertise as computer mechanics, mobile repair technicians or CCTV operators were reportedly sought out by the syndicate.

According to media reports, over 100 videos and photographs of various locations have been recovered only from Meera Thakur’s mobile phone. Other accused, including Naushad Ali, were involved in travelling across states to conduct reconnaissance. Communication within the network took place through encrypted or secret apps.

Police sources stated that Meera had direct links with illegal arms dealers and supplied weapons to criminals across Delhi NCR. She had contact with multiple dealers and maintained a network ranging from gangsters to local offenders. She was earlier arrested by the Delhi Police Special Cell in an illegal arms trafficking case. According to police, the accused were connected to a Pakistan-based handler identified as Sarfaraz alias Sardar.

Written by OpIndia Staff
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