GUWAHATI:
Indian SIM cars have been supplied to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agents by a gang from Assam’s minority-dominated areas. The gang also allegedly leaked sensitive information on national security to the Pakistan agents.
This was revealed from the arrested of five persons by Assam Police from Morigaon and Nagaon districts on March 7.
It was informed that such SIM cards have been supplied from an area where the state government evicted more than 100 families in December 2022 for encroaching sattra land.
Based on specific information provided by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), a team of police led by the additional superintendent of police (ASP) of Nagaon Rupjyoti Kalita arrested one Badar Uddin from Salnanori of Dhaniabheti for supplying SIM card to Pak agents.
Salnabori is adjacent to Batadrava Than from where the state administration had evicted more than 100 families belonging to minority communities for encroaching Sattra land.
Based on the statement of Badar Uddin, the police arrested another person identified as Baharul Islam from Sarusala under Moirabari police station in Morigaon district.
Baharul is the owner of Xerox shop and he is also a known mobile mechanic. Baharul is also believed to be a hacker.
Later the police team arrested another hacker Ashiqul Islam from Juria.
Based on their statements, the police also arrested two others – Wahidur Zamana and Mizanur Rahman from Juria area for their involvement in the deal with Pak agent. Both Wahidur and Mizanur were known for making fake voter cards and Aadhaar cards in the area.
However, five other accused have been absconding till filing this report.
The gang which is under the custody of Nagaon police has also allegedly leaked sensitive information on national security to the Pakistan agents.
“The gang has been involved in anti-national activities and had been leaking sensitive information on national security to the Pakistan agents,” a senior police official of Nagaon district said.
Police also seized 18 cell phones, 136 SIMs, one fingerprint scanner machine, one CPI and other incriminating documents from the arrested persons.
“The group was found to be involved in procuring SI cars from various mobile service providers fraudulently and supplying those to Pakistani agents,” the official said.
It was revealed that Ashiqul Islam was using a mobile handset with two IMEI numbers from which a WhatsApp call was made, sharing defence information with the Pakistani embassy.
“The mobile phone was found in his possession. Other nabbed people were also found technically involved in this connection. A thorough interrogation along with the IB officials is underway,” he added.