Further arrests deepen probe into Pakistan-linked Ghaziabad espionage network
In a breakthrough in the Ghaziabad espionage case, police have arrested three more accused, including a woman, taking the total number of arrests to 14 in what is being described as the largest spying module linked to Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI.
The newly arrested accused have been identified as Naushad Ali, Meera, and a minor. According to investigators, Naushad is one of the masterminds of the espionage racket. His role involved recruiting young individuals with technical skills such as mobile repair, computer work, and CCTV operation, especially those from economically weaker backgrounds, by luring them with money.
He also used social media groups to identify youths with criminal tendencies but no prior criminal record. Women were deliberately recruited into the network to minimise suspicion.
Meera, who is among the arrested, was involved in supplying weapons. She had earlier been arrested by the Delhi Police Special Cell in 2025 and later became part of this espionage network. Police have recovered mobile phones from the accused.
The case builds on earlier arrests made on March 14, when Ghaziabad Police had arrested six individuals linked to an ISI-backed spying network. Among them was Sohail Malik, a resident of Meerut and a key mastermind, who was paid Rs 10,000 for each video clip he transmitted. A woman identified as Mahek (also known as Sane Iram) was also arrested and was responsible for recruiting young members. Both Malik and Mahek were also tasked with making payments to operatives.
Other accused arrested earlier include Praveen, Raj Valmiki, Shiva Valmiki, and Ritik Gangwa. Their mobile phones, electronic devices, and documents were seized during the investigation.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the network had been covertly installing CCTV cameras at strategic locations such as Delhi Cantonment Railway Station and Sonipat Railway Station to transmit live feeds of army routes, troop movements, and weaponry. The group had plans to install around 50 cameras from Delhi to Kashmir to gather sensitive military information.
