‘ISI agent’ from Pak held in Lucknow

Lucknow, December 17
A suspected ISI agent, hailing from Pakistan, was arrested and sensitive documents related to Army seized from his possession near Charbagh railway station here, the police said today.

Additional director-general (law and order) Brijlal of the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) told reporters here, arrested Abdul Jabbar, alias Sikandar, a resident of Pakistani port city of Karachi, last night.

“Maps of restrict cantonment area in Lucknow and secret information regarding central command were recovered from Sikandar,” he said.

Pakastani Military Intelligence (MI) trained Sikandar for spying about establishments of Navy, Army and Air Force in India and pass on information to his bosses in Pakistan through Internet and telephone, he alleged.

Brijlal said the arrested spy was involved in drugs trade in Karachi and was contacted by MI in 2007 to work for them and he was subsequently given nine-month training in Pakistan.

“The Pakistani MI official used to bear expenses of family members of Sikandar, who was sent to India through (Kathmandu) Nepal, where he landed on November 15 last month through air route,” Brijlal said, adding that he was given fake Indian currency notes and provided help by MI officials.

Sikandar had visited India three-four times before as also several Asian countries, he said, adding the ATS had applied for remand of the agent to elicit more information from him about his other aides.

Brijlal said besides the ATS, other intelligence agencies would also interrogate Sikandar.

Asked about his links with those involved in the recent terror attack in Mumbai, Brijlal said that no such clue was found in the investigations so far.

“Sikandar was in India on a long-term plan and he wanted to stay here to collect vital information by getting fake documents prepared in his name,” Brijlal said.

A photocopy of his passport, carrying a Gujarat address, was recovered from his possession, he said, adding that on verification the address was found to be fake.

Besides this, a mobile, fake Indian currency notes in the face value of Rs 9 lakh, maps of Lucknow Cantt area and some information about central command and Rs 1,500 in cash were also recovered from him, he added.

After coming to Lucknow on December 11-12, Sikandar was trying to make a base here, he said but did not elaborate saying investigation was on. The arrested person was also involved in making fake passports in Pakistan, he said. — PTI