Kolkata, February 23: Two young men have been arrested in Murshidabad district of West Bengal on suspicion of espionage for Pakistan. The arrests were made by the Special Task Force of the West Bengal Police, who also seized multiple mobile phones and SIM cards from the suspects.
According to police sources, one of the accused, Jubair Sheikh, a resident of Murshidabad, was apprehended after suspicious activities were observed during surveillance a few days ago. During questioning, investigators found indications of his connections with alleged handlers in Pakistan.
Based on the information gathered, the second suspect, Suman Sheikh, was arrested on Saturday in Baharampur, Murshidabad. Police reported that both individuals were involved in the business of selling SIM cards.
The investigation revealed that the suspects used the identification documents of unknown individuals to obtain SIM cards and created WhatsApp accounts using those numbers. They allegedly sent the one-time passwords (OTPs) received during verification to their handlers in Pakistan, allowing remote control of those accounts.
Investigators suspect that the accused may have provided OTPs at least seven times, in exchange for substantial sums deposited into their bank accounts. Authorities believe that the accounts created with these SIM cards could have been used by operatives in Pakistan to gather information related to individuals in India.
The investigation is also looking into whether any sensitive information was obtained or transmitted through these accounts and if other individuals were involved in this network. The cyber team of the STF played a crucial role in identifying this alleged network and tracking the activities of the accused.
Officials have noted that central intelligence agencies have previously issued alerts regarding OTP diversion and the illegal use of SIM cards in various parts of the country. The investigation is also examining whether the arrested individuals have any links to international terrorist organizations or extremist groups. The inquiry is ongoing.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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