up-man-arrested-for-spying-for-pakistan-s-isi

A resident of Rampur in Uttar Pradesh has been arrested by the state’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on charges of spying for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The accused, identified as Shehzad, was apprehended from Moradabad on Saturday, according to a statement from the ATS.

 

Shehzad, who had been under surveillance for months, is alleged to have been actively involved in cross-border smuggling as a cover for his espionage activities. Police said he had made multiple trips to Pakistan, during which he reportedly established close contacts with several ISI operatives and facilitated their operations within India.

 

According to the ATS, Shehzad had been smuggling goods, including cosmetics, clothing, spices, and other items, across the India-Pakistan border, providing a facade for his covert work. The illicit trade, officials claim, served as a convenient front for passing sensitive information to Pakistan, compromising India’s national security.

 

Lucknow: UP ATS arrested a Pakistani agency ISI spy named Shahzad from Moradabad. Shahzad, a resident of Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, had been visiting Pakistan for the past several years and smuggled cosmetics, clothes, spices and other goods illegally across the border between India… pic.twitter.com/XQkwcxMlCI

— ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2025

Also read: Telangana police foil ISIS-linked bomb plot in Hyderabad, 2 held

 

Investigators further revealed that Shehzad had allegedly provided Indian SIM cards to ISI agents, potentially aiding in covert communication. He is also suspected of transferring funds to Pakistani operatives and helping facilitate travel for individuals from Rampur and other parts of Uttar Pradesh to Pakistan under the guise of smuggling, with the apparent intention of recruiting them for ISI-linked activities.

 

Officials said the visa and travel documents for these individuals were reportedly arranged with the assistance of ISI handlers, further highlighting the depth of the network.

 

The ATS noted that Shehzad’s activities came to light as part of a broader nationwide crackdown on individuals suspected of spying for Pakistan. The ongoing sweep has seen the arrests of several people, including social media influencers and YouTubers, suspected of maintaining links with Pakistani intelligence agencies.

 

A case has been registered against Shehzad under Sections 148 and 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the ATS police station in Lucknow. He has been produced before a magistrate, and further investigations are underway.