New Delhi: A major espionage module has been exposed in Delhi and NCR, in which sensitive military areas were being monitored through solar-powered CCTV cameras. According to the investigating agencies, this network is linked to Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI and its purpose was to gather information about Indian security targets.
Where were the arrests made?
The Special Cell of Delhi Police has arrested 11 suspects from Delhi and Punjab. Earlier, Ghaziabad Police had also arrested 21 people in a similar case. Inquiry revealed that this was a large and organized network, which was active in different states.
How did this module work?
The work of this gang was done in a very planned manner. The accused used to install solar CCTV cameras around sensitive places and through the SIM cards installed in them, they used to send the live footage through mobile app to the handlers sitting in Pakistan. Apart from this, these people also used to do reconnaissance of camps of army and paramilitary forces.
What were the three major conspiracies of the module?
Investigation has revealed three main objectives of this network –
- monitoring sensitive sites
- smuggling arms across the border
- Planning of grenade attacks in different cities
Where were the cameras installed?
The accused had installed cameras in many cities of North India, including Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Pathankot, Patiala, Moga, Ambala, Kathua, Bikaner and Alwar. These places were specially chosen because there is a lot of activity by the army and security agencies here.
What was recovered from the accused?
Police have recovered weapons, cartridges, several mobile phones and suspicious digital data from the accused. Apart from this, vehicles that were being used in smuggling of weapons have also been seized.
Were there plans for terrorist attacks also?
Investigation has also revealed that this network was not limited to just espionage. Through this, conspiracies for terrorist attacks were also being hatched in the country. The handlers and gangsters sitting in Pakistan were jointly running this entire operation.
This case shows that modern technology is now being used for espionage and terrorist activities also. This is a big challenge for the security agencies, but exposing this module in time is considered a big success.
