The Assam Police Special Task Force (STF) has arrested two people in Guwahati for their alleged links with a Pakistan Intelligence Operative (PIO), with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma saying one of those held is a retired Army jawan who was later re-employed on a contractual basis.
The other accused has been identified as 31-year-old Abhishek Kumar Singh, a resident of Bihar’s Purba Champaran district. Police allege that Singh was involved in espionage-related activities and had been passing confidential information concerning security forces to the Pakistani operative.
The arrests were made after intelligence inputs from central agencies and Military Intelligence, with the authorities now investigating the alleged flow of information and the extent of the suspects’ communications.
Army veteran among those arrested
Sarma disclosed the arrests on Sunday at a press conference following a cabinet meeting. He said the two suspects had allegedly been in contact with Pakistan and were sharing information about the movement of Army personnel.
“One is a retired Army jawan but currently working on a contractual basis with the Army,” Sarma said, according to reports.
The chief minister also said initial reports indicated that both accused had allegedly been honey-trapped through online sex rackets operated to extract sensitive information. He said the two would be handed over to central agencies for further investigation.
The identity of the former Army personnel has not been disclosed. Senior Assam Police officers also did not respond to requests for further details about the veteran.
Military Intelligence input triggered probe
The case involving Singh began with a preliminary intelligence input from the Tezpur-based Gajraj Corps’ Military Intelligence, according to Assam Police.
The STF, in coordination with Sonitpur Police, subsequently developed the information concerning Singh’s alleged activities. Police said their investigation indicated that he was suspected of carrying out anti-national activities under the instructions of a Pakistani intelligence operative.
The STF operation was conducted during the intervening night of October 3 and 4. Singh was apprehended from a rented house in Gandhinagar under Satgaon Police Station in Guwahati.
Police subsequently arrested him in connection with STF Police Station Case No. 09/2026.
Phone, SIM cards and documents seized
During the operation, the STF recovered a mobile phone, SIM cards and documents described by the police as incriminating from Singh’s possession.
Assam Police said a preliminary investigation had found his alleged involvement in espionage, including the transmission of secret information concerning security forces to the Pakistan Intelligence Operative.
Police have not disclosed precisely what information was allegedly shared, how it was transferred or the identity of the Pakistani operative. Officials are also examining the duration and nature of Singh’s alleged communications with Pakistan-based operatives.
A senior police officer said the matter was sensitive and that further details could not be disclosed while the investigation was continuing.
The investigation is also expected to establish the alleged role of the retired Army jawan and determine whether the two arrests are connected to a wider espionage network. Other reports have likewise said authorities are examining the extent of the alleged links and the nature of the information that may have been passed.