In a significant development in the fight against cross-border espionage, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has apprehended Shahzad Wahab, a suspect identified as working for Pakistani intelligence. The arrest took place in Moradabad, where Shahzad, a native of Rampur, was taken into custody. Following his arrest, he has been remanded to a 14-day judicial custody and subsequently relocated to a jail in Lucknow as investigations progress.
According to information from ATS sources, Shahzad is alleged to have been collaborating with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and engaging in espionage activities as well as illegal cross-border smuggling. Investigators have indicated that he was involved in smuggling various goods, including cosmetics, spices, and garments, using these operations as a facade for transmitting sensitive information to ISI operatives.
Shahzad is reportedly suspected of making multiple trips to Pakistan over recent years, where he received directions from ISI handlers and set up a secure line of communication. In addition to intelligence-gathering activities, he is alleged to have facilitated the transfer of funds and Indian SIM cards to individuals linked to the ISI within India, further supporting their espionage network.
Investigations have revealed that Shahzad played a pivotal role in recruiting individuals from Rampur and nearby regions in Uttar Pradesh. These recruits were allegedly sent to Pakistan under the pretext of employment or trade. Pakistani handlers were said to have arranged travel documents and visas to assist these individuals, with the overarching aim of infiltrating Indian systems through sleeper cells and agents.
The ATS operated on concrete intelligence, leading to Shahzad’s arrest in Moradabad. An FIR has been lodged at the ATS police station in Lucknow, charging him under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which includes serious offenses related to espionage and violations of national security.
This arrest contributes to a broader trend, with a growing number of Pakistani espionage-related detentions reported across northern India. In the past month, at least eight individuals have been arrested in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, with allegations linking them to networks influenced by Pakistani espionage efforts.
In response to escalating intelligence alerts regarding Pakistan’s attempts to recruit Indian nationals—particularly those in lower-level government positions—Uttar Pradesh’s ATS has intensified its surveillance and counter-espionage operations. Officials highlighted that Shahzad Wahab’s arrest serves as a significant setback for ISI’s local operations in North India and reiterated their determination to dismantle espionage threats. Ongoing interrogations and forensic inquiries are anticipated to yield further revelations as the investigation unfolds.
