UP ATS arrests Varanasi man for allegedly spying for Pakistan
Reports said that Tufail was also sending photos of sensitive locations such as Gyanvapi, Red Fort, Rajghat and Namoghat to his contacts in Pakistan
The Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) of Uttar Pradesh Police on Thursday (May 22) arrested a man for allegedly spying for Pakistan. According to a statement by the ATS, the man identified as Tufail from Varanasi is accused of passing sensitive information on India’s internal security to his contacts in Pakistan.
Videos of Pak terror leader
The ATS further revealed that Tufail shared videos of Maulana Shah Rizvi, leader of the banned Pakistani terrorist group Tehreek-e-Labbaik, in WhatsApp groups. They also said that he shared provocative messages on giving a call for ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind,’ avenging the demolition of Babri Masjid and the implementation of Sharia law in India.
Investigation revealed Tufail was also sending photos of sensitive locations such as Gyanvapi, Red Fort, Rajghat and Namoghat to his contacts in Pakistan, as per a report in Hindustan Times.
Tufail was also allegedly distributing joining links to WhatsApp groups in Varanasi to establish communication between locals and networks in Pakistan.
Also read: After Haryana blogger, UP businessman arrested for 'spying' for Pakistan
In touch with 600 Pakistanis
The arrested was also in touch with a Pakistani woman called Nafisa, whose husband was reportedly working in the Pakistani army, said a report by News18, adding that Tufail was allegedly in touch with about 600 Pakistanis.
The ATS is currently trying to unearth further details of Tufail's activities and network.
Also Read: UP ATS arrests ordnance factory worker for spying for Pakistani intelligence
Second arrest in UP
This is the second such arrest in Uttar Pradesh in recent times. The ATS on Sunday arrested a man named Shehzad from the Tanda area in Rampur district on charges of espionage for Pakistan and smuggling goods across the border. He was arrested in Moradabad, the ATS said.
According to media reports, Shehzad was allegedly paying money to agents in India at the behest of Pakistani spy agency ISI.
He had been charged with acts endangering India’s sovereignty, unity, and integrity along with other offences.
Earlier this month, a travel vlogger from Haryana was arrested for allegedly sharing sensitive information with a Pakistani intelligence official. The YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra's chats with a Pakistani intelligence official have recently surfaced and allegedly revealed her close ties with the neighbouring country, according to media reports.