Ghaziabad/Kaushambi: A suspected espionage network unearthed in Uttar Pradesh’s Kaushambi has triggered serious national security concerns, with investigators uncovering foreign funding routed through 53 bank accounts amounting to ₹1.27 crore. Following these revelations, the process to transfer the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been initiated, indicating the gravity and cross-border dimensions of the case.
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According to sources, formal communication regarding the transfer of the case has already begun, and the NIA is expected to take over the investigation soon. Preliminary findings suggest that the network was not confined to local operations but functioned as a coordinated international espionage setup, with links traced to Pakistan, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia.
So far, a total of 29 suspects have been detained from Ghaziabad and Hapur, including six minors. The network first came to light on March 14 following the arrest of Suhail Malik and Sania Irm. Subsequent crackdowns on March 20 and 21 led to the detention of several more suspects, while on March 24, three additional accused were arrested from Delhi, Shamli, and Kaushambi. The series of arrests revealed the wide geographical spread of the network across multiple states.
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The Money Trail That Blew the Lid Off the Network
Investigations have revealed that 53 bank accounts were used to channel funds from foreign sources. These accounts are spread across Punjab, West Bengal, and Bihar. The highest volume of transactions has been traced to an account linked to Bhagalpur in Bihar, which is now a key focus of the probe. Analysis of the money trail indicates that these funds were allegedly used to support suspicious activities and expand the network’s operations.
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Forensic examination of mobile phones and digital devices seized from the accused has yielded critical evidence, including chats, photographs, and videos that shed light on the functioning of the network. In a particularly alarming revelation, investigators found that nearly eight hours of video footage capturing train operations at Sonipat railway station were recorded and transmitted abroad. Security agencies view this as a major breach, given the sensitivity of such infrastructure-related information.
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According to investigators, the network was largely operated through digital platforms. The alleged kingpin, Sameer alias ‘Shooter’, had uploaded images and videos featuring weapons on social media in 2023. These posts reportedly attracted the attention of Suhail Malik and Naushad Ali, who then established contact with him. They were subsequently added to a WhatsApp group, where instructions were allegedly issued by Sarfaraz, believed to be operating from Pakistan. Members were assigned specific tasks, making the network highly structured and difficult to detect.
Further findings indicate that the espionage network had been active for nearly two years, with its primary objective being the collection of sensitive information related to strategic locations in India. Agencies suspect that such data could have been intended for use in planning larger anti-national activities in the future.
Given the seriousness of the case, the involvement of the NIA is being seen as a crucial step. With its expertise in handling cases involving international terror funding and cross-border networks, the agency is expected to conduct a deeper and more coordinated investigation. Other intelligence agencies are also working in tandem to piece together the full extent of the operation.
At present, investigators are focused on tracking the complete money trail, verifying foreign links, and identifying additional individuals connected to the network. Officials believe that the case may unravel further layers of a larger conspiracy in the coming days, with significant implications for national security.
