UP Police arrests Pakistani agent tasked to spread 'jihad', disrupt harmony

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UP Police arrests Pakistani agent tasked to spread 'jihad', disrupt harmony

Story by Pathikrit Chakraborty  

LUCKNOW: In a significant breakthrough, the Special Task Force (STF) of the Uttar Pradesh police on Thursday arrested a Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agent from the Shamli district. The national probe agency nabbed Tehseem alias Mota (45) at the Garhi Shakhawat crossing on Meerut-Karnal Road in Muzaffarnagar.

Prashant Kumar, director general of law and order, revealed that during interrogation, Tehseem confessed to frequenting Pakistan with his brother Kaleem. Through connections made there, they were allegedly lured by ISI handlers with money and promises of arms, ammunition, and funds to spread jihad and disrupt communal harmony in India.
Uttar Pradesh's top cop elaborated that Tehseem and Kaleem used fake sim cards to send sensitive information over WhatsApp to Dilshad alias Mirza, an ISI agent in Pakistan. They also reportedly received counterfeit currency from another individual named Nafees.

The STF's operation began with the arrest of Imran on August 2, 2023, in Shamli. He was found in possession of counterfeit currency worth Rs 6.08 lakh. Subsequently, Kaleem was apprehended on August 16 from the same district. Tehseem's name surfaced during the investigation, prompting the STF to launch a targeted operation for his capture.

Tehseem's Pakistan 'connections' and Iqbal Kana

According to the STF, Tehseem visited Pakistan in 2002 under the pretext of selling paan/tobacco. He reportedly stayed with a relative in Kotadu for a short period and later in Lahore. While in Lahore, he allegedly met individuals associated with a known fake Indian currency note (FICN) dealer named Iqbal Kana and his aides. These connections are said to have influenced Tehseem's involvement in FICN trafficking from 2002 to 2008.

The STF probe further claims that Tehseem received and circulated counterfeit currency notes during this period. The alleged consignments of FICN ranged in value from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 7 lakh and were reportedly sourced from contacts in Pakistan, Delhi, and Amritsar. Additionally, Tehseem has a past record of arrests related to FICN possession in these locations.

Following his release from prison in 2016, Tehseem is suspected of participating in drug supply and other illegal activities with the help of an individual named Shahid, who reportedly fled to Pakistan after facing legal charges in India and is said to be involved in cross-border smuggling and potentially anti-national activities.

Tehseem also faces separate charges under the Arms Act related to a 2019 incident in Punjab and a weapons supply case still under investigation.