The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) made a significant breakthrough by apprehending a man associated with the Indian embassy in Russia for his alleged involvement in anti-national activities in collaboration with the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI. The accused, identified as Satendra Siwal, was arrested from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.

As per officials, Siwal had been providing the ISI with highly sensitive and confidential information concerning the strategic activities of the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of External Affairs, and various Indian military establishments, stated a report by the Press Trust of India (PTI).

Satendra Siwal had been serving as an India-based security assistant at the Indian embassy in Moscow since 2021. The incident came to light when the Uttar Pradesh ATS received intelligence from multiple sources indicating that ISI handlers were enticing employees of the Ministry of External Affairs with monetary rewards in exchange for acquiring privileged information. The police believe that this revelation poses a significant threat to both the internal and external security of India.

Following the received inputs, the authorities initiated a comprehensive investigation employing electronic and physical surveillance techniques. The investigation revealed that Siwal, a resident of Shahmahiuddinpur village, was involved in an extensive anti-India network. Consequently, the Uttar Pradesh ATS summoned Siwal for questioning.

During the interrogation, Siwal failed to provide satisfactory answers and eventually confessed to his involvement in the crime, according to PTI.

Subsequently, the police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Siwal under section 121A of the Indian Penal Code (waging war against the country) and the Official Secrets Act 1923.

The investigation is currently underway to gather further evidence and ascertain the extent of Siwal’s activities.

(With inputs from PTI)