Srinagar
Arunachal Pradesh Police have arrested two men from Jammu and Kashmir for their alleged involvement in espionage activities linked to handlers based in Pakistan. The arrests were made during two separate, intelligence-based operations in the Itanagar region, marking a major security breakthrough in the Northeast.
According to Arunachal Pradesh Police, the accused have been identified as Nazir Ahmad Malik and Sabir Ahmed Mir, both residents of Kupwara district in north Kashmir. Nazir Ahmad was picked up from Ganga Village, while Sabir Ahmed was apprehended from Abotani Colony in Itanagar. Officials said the arrests were executed following credible inputs suggesting that the duo was involved in tracking and documenting sensitive Army-related movements.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects had been monitoring strategic locations and routes used by Army units operating in parts of Arunachal Pradesh. Police allege that the information collected by the duo was being communicated to handlers based in Pakistan through encrypted channels, particularly via Telegram, a platform known for secure messaging.
Sources within the police establishment revealed that both accused had been staying in Arunachal Pradesh for some time and were believed to be operating as part of a wider espionage network. The purpose of their activities, according to investigators, was to provide real-time updates on the movement and deployment of Indian security forces in a strategically important region that shares international borders with both China and Myanmar.
Arunachal Pradesh Police have stressed that the arrests were made at a “critical stage” and may have prevented sensitive military information from falling into hostile hands. They further added that digital devices, phones, and other electronic material seized from the accused are currently being analyzed to determine the full extent of the leaked information and establish their communication history with foreign handlers.
Authorities are now investigating whether the two men were working alone or were part of a larger espionage module with roots in other parts of the country. Teams are also trying to trace the identities of their Pakistan-based contacts and uncover the network through which the data was being transmitted.
Police officials stated that more arrests cannot be ruled out as the investigation widens. Both Nazir Ahmad Malik and Sabir Ahmed Mir are currently being questioned in custody, and multiple security agencies have joined the probe.
