Spy racket involving Pak operative busted

Ludhiana, September 13

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The counter-intelligence wing of city police’s CIA-3 today claimed to have busted an espionage racket involving a Pakistan intelligence operative (PIO) on the basis of inputs provided by the Air Force Intelligence Unit, Jodhpur.

A ‘spy’, identified as Jaswinder Singh, a resident of Uchi Daud village, Malud, has been arrested. He was currently employed in Malerkotla. Officials of the counter-intelligence wing said Jaswinder’s preliminary questioning revealed he was in touch with the Pakistan-based operative, who had introduced herself as “Jasleen Brar” from Bathinda.

Police officials said the PIO had been using a WhatsApp number, activated through a one-time password provided by Jaswinder, to honey trap Army and defence personnel. “WhatsApp chats have confirmed contact between seven defence personnel and the PIO and further analysis of Whatsapp chats is being done,” said the officials.

The PIO had managed to get entry into two WhatsApp groups of defence personnel.

Jaswinder was also learnt to have received Rs 10,000 from the PIO in his bank account via ‘PhonePe’ app. On directions of the PIO, he further transferred the amount to another account from Pune, Maharashtra. The alleged spy had provided three numbers to the PIO for WhatsApp use. An FIR has been registered under the IPC and the Official Secrets Act. Further investigation was on, said the police. — OC