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New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a Kolkata resident for allegedly spying and surreptitiously providing secret security-related information to Pakistan Intelligence Officers (PIOs) as part of an anti-India terror conspiracy.

Previously convicted, recruited during Pakistan visits

The accused, identified as Zafar Riaz alias Rizvi, had a Look Out Circular (LOC) issued against him, and proceedings were also underway to declare him a Proclaimed Offender (PO) when the agency took him into custody.

The NIA arrested Zafar under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Official Secrets Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

“Zafar is married to a Pakistani woman, and his children are Pakistani citizens,” according to the NIA.

The agency disclosed that Zafar had previously been convicted in an espionage case under the Indian Penal Code and the Official Secrets Act.

“He had travelled frequently between India and Pakistan since 2005,” the NIA said.

The Pakistan Intelligence Officers reportedly contacted him during his visits to Pakistan and allegedly recruited him to carry out espionage activities in India in exchange for Pakistani citizenship and financial incentives.

OTP trick used to run WhatsApp spy network

According to the agency, Zafar allegedly shared One-Time Passwords (OTPs) linked to Indian SIM card numbers with Pakistan Intelligence Officers to activate WhatsApp accounts. The PIOs then allegedly used those WhatsApp accounts to communicate with another accused, Motiram Jat, in the same case.

“Motiram Jat was also involved in passing secret and sensitive security-related information to Pakistan Intelligence,” the NIA stated.

According to the agency, “NIA is continuing its investigation to trace others involved in the espionage racket and to unveil the larger conspiracy behind the plot.”

(Curated by Pushpak Gondane)