In a major action to end espionage rings working in India, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested Shahzad from Moradabad. Rampur resident Shahzad spied for Pakistan’s infamous intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), according to accusations.
The arrest is part of an ongoing operation against anti-national forces and espionage cells suspected of working under foreign guidance.
Shahzad’s Arrest: Years of Espionage Disguised as Trade
Sahazad—son of Abdul Wahab and resident of House No. 135, Mohalla Azad Nagar, Tanda, District Rampur—has been coming to Pakistan for years, according to ATS officials. Posing as a businessman dealing in smuggling cosmetics, clothes, spices, and other items between India and Pakistan, he was reportedly working as a surreptitious ISI agent.
“Shahzad has cordial relations with the agents of ISI, with whom he used to be in touch constantly. Shahzad has given sensitive information regarding security to the agents of ISI,” the ATS disclosed in its release.
A Network Built on Smuggling and Surveillance
The inquiry points out that Shahzad’s activities went much deeper than his involvement. He is reportedly a major facilitator in bringing people from Rampur and other areas of Uttar Pradesh to ISI for its espionage purposes. On the pretext of commerce, he facilitated these people to secure Pakistani visas, usually arranged by ISI operatives themselves.
He also used to send individuals from various regions of Rampur district and Uttar Pradesh to Pakistan to work for ISI on the pretext of smuggling. The ISI also booked the visas of these individuals. Shahzad had also supplied Indian SIMs to the ISI agents to act as spies against India,” the statement continued.
Officials say Shahzad also handled funding for ISI-associated operatives and issued Indian SIM cards to help them conduct surveillance and intelligence operations inside India.
Legal Proceedings Underway
Following confirmation of his anti-national operations, officials lodged a case under Sections 148 and 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the ATS Police Station, Lucknow. Shahzad is in ATS custody and undergoing questioning.
The ATS in Lucknow lodged an FIR under sections 148 and 152 after verifying the information. Shahzad has been arrested today (May 19) by UP ATS from Moradabad, who is being taken to court by the rules, and further legal action is being initiated,” ATS officials affirmed.
Haryana’s Parallel Crackdown Under Operation Sindoor
This arrest comes along with equivalent action in Haryana, where police recently arrested some people suspected of espionage. Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Kapoor emphasized that the arrests came amid increased vigilance following Operation Sindoor.
“Following Operation Sindoor, we maintained heightened alertness, and under it, based on inputs received from our central agencies and state intelligence bureaus, anti-national forces were arrested in certain districts. Cases have been filed against them, and they have been arrested and put behind bars,” Kapoor said.
A Wake-Up Call for Internal Security
These back-to-back arrests underscore the persistent threat of cross-border espionage and the importance of coordinated surveillance. While Shahzad’s arrest marks a major success, it also reveals the worrying depth of ISI’s infiltration tactics. The ATS and other state agencies must continue to tighten intelligence networks and curb such anti-national activities that threaten India’s sovereignty.
