Police in Uttar Pradesh have arrested three more people in connection with an alleged spying network that shared images of sensitive locations with a Pakistan-based handler. The latest arrests were made after the prime suspect was traced to Delhi, officials said.
The case began after police received information that some residents of the Kaushambi area in Ghaziabad district were photographing key sites in India and sending the material to a person in Pakistan. A search operation in the area led to the detention of six people for questioning.
Based on their statements, a special police team conducted raids across different parts of the state and arrested nine people on March 21, including Ganesh, a Nepal national. On March 22, Naushad Ali, his associate Meera, and a boy under 15 were also taken into custody.
The main accused, described as a “shooter” named Sameer, was later arrested from Delhi along with another person named Sameer and a suspect identified as Shivraj. With these arrests, the total number of people held in the case has risen to 21, including six minors.
Ghaziabad Additional Police Commissioner Karan Nayar said Naushad Ali allegedly visited railway stations, army camps and police headquarters in Delhi and other states to conduct reconnaissance and sent photos and video clips to a Pakistan-based contact identified as Sardar, also known as Jorawar Singh. Police said payments of up to Rs 5,000 were made for each assignment, and that illegal funding was routed from Pakistan into India via the Punjab border.
