Pakistan link; two Bihar youths arrested:Accused of sharing intelligence through honey trap; Assam Police make arrests

Assam Police have arrested two people from Bihar on allegations of spying for Pakistan. One of them is a retired Indian Army soldier who had been working for the Army on a contract after his retirement. One of the accused has been identified as 31-year-old Abhishek Kumar Singh, a resident of Motihari. He is accused of living in Guwahati and sending intelligence related to the Indian Army to his handlers in Pakistan. Police also recovered several suspicious items linked to Pakistan from his possession. The second accused, 39-year-old Ritesh Kumar, was arrested from a rented house in Guwahati’s Satgaon area. He is a resident of Begusarai. Both were working on the instructions of Pakistan’s PIO According to the police, the NIA had received input that Abhishek was living in Assam and sending intelligence related to the Indian Army to a terrorist organisation in Pakistan. The Indian Army’s Gajraj Corps and the Assam Police were investigating Ritesh’s alleged activities. During this period, Abhishek was arrested on charges of espionage on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday. During the investigation, a mobile phone, a SIM card, some documents linked to Pakistan and other suspicious items were recovered from Abhishek. After Abhishek’s arrest, the STF continued the investigation. During the investigation, the police traced Ritesh Kumar Singh. Ritesh is alleged to have been working at the behest of a Pakistani intelligence operative (PIO). According to the police, he had also helped Abhishek. Abhishek’s mobile phone and other electronic items have been sent for forensic examination. Investigating agencies are also trying to determine how long he had been involved in the activity and who was in contact with him. Assam CM also confirms Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the Assam Police had arrested both accused based on inputs received from the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The accused will be handed over to central agencies for further investigation. According to the Chief Minister, the preliminary investigation has also revealed that both accused were allegedly targeted through a honey trap to obtain sensitive information. Motihari police also gathering information Following the news, Motihari police have also gone on alert over the case. Motihari SP Swarn Prabhat said information had been received about Abhishek. An investigation is under way to determine which police station area in the district he belongs to. His local address is currently being verified. The SP said Motihari police were in contact with Assam Police and central agencies. Nothing definitive can be said about the case until complete information is received. Information is also being gathered locally about Abhishek’s family and background. ​