Kapurthala (Punjab): A major espionage ring was broken after the police arrested three persons on charges of sending details about the goings on inside Kapurthala Army Cantonment to Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs).
The Kapurthala Police, in a swift and highly-confidential operation, in coordination with Central Intelligence Agencies, dismantled an espionage network over the last few days.
Gaurav Toora, Senior Superintendent of Police, Kapurthala, confirmed that three persons have been arrested for secretly photographing the Army Cantonment areas and sharing classified military details across the border in exchange for money. The arrested persons have been identified as Raja, from Kapurthala, Jaskaran, a resident of Dharamkot Moga and Gurnam singh from Firozepur.
“The operation began after Kapurthala Police received credible intelligence that Raja, who was employed privately as a sweeper inside the Kapurthala Army Cantonment, was establishing covert communication with Pakistani handlers. Using his mobile phone, he allegedly clicked photographs of restricted Army installations and passed on sensitive information, including details linked to strategic military plans,” Toora said.
This information was shared with central intelligence agencies, SP(D) Prabhjot Singh Virk, following which a discreet joint operation was launched.
During the operation, an FIR was registered at Police Station Kotwali, Kapurthala and Raja was arrested on October 28 under Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923 and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
During interrogation, Raja confessed to sending classified information to Pakistan. He further disclosed that he was working on the directions of one Jaskaran Singh, who facilitated the transfer of sensitive data in exchange for cash.
Jaskaran Singh was named in the FIR and arrested on October 29. During interrogation, he admitted that he had travelled to Firozepur, where he met Gurnam Singh, who instructed them to collect and pass on intelligence from the Army Cantonment to Pakistan.
Gurnam’s name was added to the FIR and he was arrested on Thursday from District Court, Firozepur. All three individuals were motivated by financial gain and operated as part of an espionage chain aimed at compromising India’s defence information.
“Mobile phones and other digital devices have been seized from the accused and sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for examination. More anti-national activities could come to light during technical analysis and further interrogation. Our records also indicate that both Jaskaran and Gurnam had previous criminal cases registered against them” an official said.
