BSF jawan among two arrested for supplying security info to ISI

[shree835]

Kafaitullah Khan, a handler of Pakistan Intelligence Operative, was among the two arrested. Photo: Special Arrangement

A Border Security Force (BSF) personnel and a handler of Pakistan Intelligence Operative (PIO) have been arrested by the Delhi Police Crime Branch for allegedly running an espionage racket. Both the arrested men — Kafaitullah Khan and Abdul Rasheed — are residents of Jammu and Kashmir.

It is alleged that by cultivating sources in the Army and the BSF, where Abdul Rasheed is posted as a head constable, they started passing on the information to PIO through e-mails, WhatsApp and Viber.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ravindra Yadav said some documents in the physical form have also been purportedly seized.

'Racket run by them supported by ISI'

The police have not revealed the nature of these documents but said these documents reaching into the hands of those working against the nation's interests could have had implications on the country’s security. During initial interrogation, Kafaitullah Khan disclosed that he was assigned specific tasks by the PIO, which were mainly concerning with the deployment of security forces and Air Force Operations.

"The espionage racket run by them is supported by Pakistan’s ISI,” Mr. Yadav said, adding that the duo has been arrested under various provisions of IPC and Official Secrets Act.

Kafaitullah Khan was held last Thursday — the seventh anniversary of 26/11 Mumbai attacks. At his instance, his alleged accomplice Rasheed was arrested on Sunday.

“We arrested Khan at New Delhi Railway Station while he was on his way to Bhopal from Jammu. Few documents having implication on national security were seized from him. He was arrested under appropriate section and taken into custody. We sent another team to Rajouri to arrest his accomplice and relative Rasheed. Their premises were searched leading to the recovery of more important documents,” said Mr. Yadav.

Interrogation of the duo revealed that Kafaitullah Khan visited Pakistan in 2013.

“During his stay there, he came in contact with ISI agent and in lieu of monetary considerations he agreed to provide the secret information of the defence forces,” said Mr. Yadav.

However, police sources remain apprehensive of the fact that if scanned copies of the documents have been sent electronically across the border, the seizures will make little difference to the execution of their plans.

BSF jawan among two arrested for supplying security info to ISI - The Hindu