KKN Gurugram Desk | In a significant breakthrough, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (UP ATS) has arrested an alleged ISI agent from Moradabad who was reportedly involved in espionage activities for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The arrested suspect has been identified as Shahzad, son of Abdul Wahab, a resident of Moradabad district.

According to sources within the intelligence establishment, Shahzad had been in contact with Pakistani handlers for an extended period and was allegedly passing sensitive information related to Indian security infrastructure.

 Key Highlights:

• Suspect Name: Shahzad, son of Abdul Wahab

• Location of Arrest: Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh

• Agency Involved: Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS)

• Allegation: Spying for Pakistan’s ISI

• Operation Type: Classified high-risk surveillance and capture mission

 How the Operation Was Conducted

Sources within UP ATS revealed that the operation to nab Shahzad was based on multi-agency intelligence inputs involving central and state surveillance networks. After weeks of electronic monitoring and human intelligence collection, the suspect was tracked and apprehended from his residence during a pre-dawn raid.

The entire operation was kept under wraps due to the sensitivity of the mission and the possibility of Shahzad being connected to a larger espionage network operating within India.

Espionage Activities: What Was Shahzad Doing for ISI?

Initial investigations suggest that Shahzad had been using encrypted messaging platforms and dummy social media accounts to communicate with handlers based in Pakistan. He was allegedly involved in:

• Sharing photographs and maps of Indian military installations and sensitive border regions

• Gathering data on troop movement and infrastructure projects

• Sending mobile numbers of Indian defense personnel to foreign agents

• Facilitating communication between other potential informants and ISI handlers

The ATS is currently verifying the extent of the information leaked and whether Shahzad had accomplices within or outside the country.

 How ISI Operatives Recruit Agents in India

Pakistan’s ISI has long been accused of recruiting informants in India using a mix of:

• Monetary incentives

• Ideological indoctrination

• Blackmail through honey traps

• False employment promises via social media platforms

Shahzad, according to ATS sources, was motivated by financial gain and had received multiple payments through hawala channels and digital wallets.

 Security Agencies on High Alert Across Uttar Pradesh

The arrest has raised security concerns across the state, especially in areas close to military cantonments and border zones. ATS teams are coordinating with:

• Military Intelligence (MI)

• Research and Analysis Wing (RAW)

• Intelligence Bureau (IB)

• Local law enforcement units

A joint interrogation team has been formed to extract further details from Shahzad and trace the ISI’s communication channels.

 Charges Filed Under the Official Secrets Act

Shahzad has been booked under several provisions of the Official Secrets Act (1923) and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) related to:

• Espionage

• Anti-national activity

• Waging war against the state

• Conspiracy with foreign agents

If convicted, he could face life imprisonment or the death penalty, depending on the severity of the breach.

 UP ATS Statement

In a brief press interaction, a senior ATS officer stated:

“The suspect was working for Pakistan’s ISI and was passing classified military-related information. His arrest is the result of a multi-agency coordinated effort. We’re continuing the probe to uncover his handlers and collaborators.”

ISI’s Expanding Network in India: A Pattern Emerges

This arrest is not an isolated case. Over the past year, multiple ISI-linked operatives have been caught in:

• Jaipur (Rajasthan) – A defense staffer was honey-trapped

• Nagpur (Maharashtra) – A railway employee leaked troop movement info

• Delhi NCR – A telecom engineer shared SIM card data for espionage

These incidents highlight the growing digital sophistication of ISI’s recruitment and surveillance operations within India.

 What’s Next? Ongoing Investigations and National Security Implications

Shahzad’s digital devices — including his mobile phone, laptop, and encrypted messaging apps — are currently being analyzed by cyber forensic experts.

Key questions authorities aim to answer:

• Who were Shahzad’s direct handlers in Pakistan?

• Was he part of a wider sleeper cell network?

• How many others are on ISI’s payroll in India?

• What sensitive data has already been compromised?

 Government Response: Tightening National Security Measures

In light of the arrest, the Ministry of Home Affairs is considering:

• Reviewing existing security protocols at sensitive installations

• Launching a nationwide awareness campaign against ISI recruitment

• Upgrading cyber surveillance systems in collaboration with CERT-IN

• Increasing counterintelligence training across states

A senior official hinted that new legislation may be introduced to bolster the penal framework for digital espionage.

 Public Reaction and Political Fallout

The arrest has drawn sharp reactions on social media, with many demanding stricter enforcement and even revival of sedition laws in such cases. Politicians across party lines have called for exemplary punishment.

“Spying for an enemy state is the gravest betrayal. The law must act decisively,” said BJP spokesperson Amit Malviya.

Opposition leaders have urged for institutional reform to prevent such vulnerabilities, while also cautioning against communal profiling during investigations.

 About Moradabad: A Key Intelligence Outpost

Moradabad, though not a border town, is strategically located with railway junctions, communication hubs, and access to multiple North Indian states — making it a valuable location for intelligence gathering by foreign agencies.

Authorities have now placed sensitive zones in and around Moradabad under surveillance, and local police stations are assisting the ATS in questioning Shahzad’s known associates.

The arrest of Shahzad, a suspected ISI agent, serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing threat of espionage faced by India. As Pakistan continues to exploit digital platforms and local vulnerabilities, strengthening homeland security, enhancing intelligence coordination, and public vigilance remain critical.

India’s internal security apparatus must now double down on detecting early signs of infiltration, preventing potential sabotage, and ensuring that national secrets remain secure.