- Pak linked agent held for sharing sensitive location data
- Rajasthan Police bust espionage network with Pakistan links
Hyderabad, March 27: Rajasthan Police have arrested a youth in a major breakthrough against an alleged espionage network with Pakistan links. The accused allegedly conducted reconnaissance across multiple states and shared sensitive videos and images with a Pakistan-based handler.
Police identified the accused as Akashdeep, a 20-year-old resident of Chak Kera and originally from Village 12 H under Kesrisinghpur police station. Officials said he was arrested by Lalgarh Jatan police for maintaining contact with Pakistan-based terrorist Shahzad Bhatti through social media platforms.
District Superintendent of Police Hari Shankar said authorities closely monitor intelligence inputs due to the district’s proximity to the international border. Acting on specific information about suspicious activity, police launched an investigation. It revealed that Akashdeep was in regular contact with Pakistani numbers using Instagram and WhatsApp, including voice chats.
During interrogation, the accused confessed that he had carried out recce of key locations across Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, Chandigarh, and Ambala in Haryana. He reportedly acted on instructions from Bhatti. Police said he filmed crowded and strategically important areas and sent the videos via WhatsApp along with access details.
Investigators seized the accused’s mobile phone and SIM card. They found chats with several Pakistan-based contacts. They also recovered an AI-edited image where the accused appeared alongside the terrorist. Officials said he used this image to intimidate locals.
Station House Officer Gurmel Singh described the accused as having a criminal disposition. He said the accused often threatened villagers by claiming links with terrorists. Authorities stated that the activities posed a serious threat to national security, sovereignty, and integrity.
Meanwhile, police registered a case under relevant provisions and started further investigation. They aim to trace the wider network behind the operation. The arrest follows similar crackdowns in recent weeks. On March 13, associates linked to Shahzad Bhatti were arrested in Ambala with explosives recovered, preventing a major attack.
Later, on March 24, another associate was arrested in Hanumangarh. Police believe the handler is running an India-based network using social media and digital platforms. Therefore, officials expect more arrests as the investigation continues.
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