Image Source : MANISH PRASAD/ INDIA TV Ex-Army soldier arrested in UP on costs of spying, was ‘lured’ by Pakistani company on social media
In a important counter espionage operation, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Friday apprehended a retired Army soldier, based mostly on enter offered by Lucknow based mostly Military Intelligence (MI) Unit. According to the knowledge, Signalman Saurabh Sharma, an ex-serviceman, was working for a Pakistani intelligence company since 2016.
The UP ATS took nearly a month to trace down and arrest the suspect. UP ATS and the navy intelligence (MI) unit tracked down retired military soldier from his parental home, positioned within the Bihuni in Uttar Pradesh’s Hapur district.
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The navy intelligence had earlier acquired a tip in regards to the involvement of the retired military signalman in espionage actions. After receiving the tip, the “Operation Cross-Connection” was initiated to hint the retired military personnel and arrest Saurabh Sharma.
The ex-serviceman was allegedly working for Pakistani intelligence handlers based mostly in Karachi.
Sharma advised his interrogators that he acquired in contact with a Pakistani intelligence operative on Facebook in 2014.
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The operative, he mentioned, initially launched ‘herself’ as a defence journalist. Subsequently, by 2016, he had began sharing delicate navy data in return for cash, the sources mentioned.
Sharma shared all of the delicate data by means of textual content, audio and picture messages and in addition calls, totally on WhatsApp. He allegedly acquired a number of funds from his Pakistani handlers.
The former serviceman was discharged from the Army in June 2020 on medical grounds. The sources mentioned that proof of his actions have been discovered on his cell phone too.
An FIR has been lodged on the Gomti Nagar police station in Lucknow towards Sharma underneath Sections 120-B and 123 of the IPC, Sections 3, 4, 5 and 9 of the Official Secrets Act, and Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The UP ATS is more likely to search his police custody from an area court docket for additional investigation.
The Lucknow MI Unit, UP ATS and central intelligence companies are collectively analyzing additional leads within the case, the sources added.
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