Suspected ISI Agent Arrested in UP’s Rampur: A major breakthrough by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has brought to light an alarming case of cross-border espionage and smuggling. A man named Shahzad, from Tanda town in Rampur district, was arrested on Sunday for allegedly working as a spy for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The STF’s Moradabad unit carried out the arrest after receiving confidential inputs about his suspected activities.
All You Need to Know
- The accused Shahzad was caught by STF’s Moradabad team.
- He was reportedly involved in smuggling and spying for the ISI.
- He had visited Pakistan multiple times over the years.
- Items like clothes, cosmetics, and spices were being smuggled across borders.
- He was allegedly passing sensitive national security information to ISI handlers.
- He has been booked under various serious charges related to espionage.
Suspected ISI Agent – Shahzad’s Pakistan Connection
Officials say Shahzad had made several trips to Pakistan over the years. These visits were allegedly used for smuggling goods like cosmetics, clothes, and spices. But more dangerous than the smuggling was his reported involvement in leaking sensitive information linked to India’s national security.
According to the STF, Shahzad was acting as a middleman between Pakistan handlers and information sources in India. He was allegedly sending important data to his handlers, which could have posed a risk to the country’s internal and external safety.
Not an Isolated Case
This isn’t the only case of spying activities reported recently. In Panipat, Haryana, a 24-year-old man named Nauman Ilahi from Kairana, Uttar Pradesh, was also arrested. He was accused of being in contact with ISI agents and supplying sensitive information.
Earlier this year, in March, the Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) in Uttar Pradesh arrested Ravindra Kumar, an employee at the Ordnance Factory in Hazratpur, Firozabad. He had allegedly shared confidential documents with a Pakistani agent he met through Facebook, under the fake identity “Neha Sharma.” Kumar had been working in the factory since 2006 and was a chargeman since 2009.
The ATS revealed that the agent had trapped him by chatting on WhatsApp using audio and video calls. In the greed of making easy money, Kumar started sharing confidential files, which were later found in his phone even after he tried to delete them.
Growing Threat to National Security
Authorities say that Pakistani handlers are using fake profiles to approach Indian citizens working in government roles, especially in sensitive departments. These spies try to create friendships online, offer money, and trick people into sharing official information. This method has become a rising threat to India’s internal security.
What’s Next?
Shahzad has now been sent to Lucknow where further investigations are ongoing. The STF and ATS are working closely to uncover the entire network and identify more people who might be connected to this cross-border spying ring.
Also Read: India Pulls Out of Men’s Asia Cup 2025: Tension with Pakistan Affects Cricket Ties
FAQs
Who is Shahzad and why was he arrested?
Shahzad, from Tanda in Rampur, UP, was arrested for allegedly working for Pakistan’s spy agency ISI and smuggling goods across the border.
What kind of goods was Shahzad smuggling?
Cosmetics, clothes, spices, and similar items.
Was he also spying for ISI?
Yes, the STF says he passed sensitive national security information to ISI handlers.
Were there other recent spy cases in India?
Yes, two more cases were reported — one in Haryana (Nauman Ilahi) and one in Firozabad (Ravindra Kumar), both accused of passing secret information to Pakistan.
What is being done now?
Authorities are investigating further and working to uncover more links in the spy network.
