ISI agent arrested by UP ATS 'was in touch with Pakistan High Commission'

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), which yesterday busted an espionage racket allegedly linked to Pakistan's notorious Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), has claimed that one of its suspected agents arrested by the agency had contacts with Pakistan High Commission.

"He (Aftab Ali) was in constant touch with Pakistan High Commission," the ATS said in a statement, according to ABP News. 

In a major breakthrough, the UP ATS team yesterday busted an espionage racket and arrested suspected ISI agents from Faizabad and Mumbai.

The arrest was made days after intelligence agencies had warned of a possible terror attack by ISI-trained terrorists in Uttar Pradesh.

Aftab Ali, who is now being interrogated for more leads, was picked up from Faizabad.

Ali is believed to have received training from the ISI in Pakistan and was in constant touch with officials in the Pakistan High Commission, IG ATS Aseem Arun was quoted as saying by PTI.

Arun added that the ATS was in possession of strong evidence against him and deposits made in Aftab's bank accounts will also be verified.

The ISI-linked espionage racket was busted in a joint operation conducted by the UP Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Military Intelligence and UP Intelligence.

While Aftab was arrested, another suspect was taken into custody and was being questioned.

The UP ATS in a joint operation with Maharashtra ATS arrested Aftab's accomplice Altaf Qureishi from Mumbai. 

The investigators have seized cash, mobile phones and other things from him.

Aftab was allegedly keeping a close vigil on the movement of troops in the area, especially between Faizabad and Lucknow, besides deployment of battalions, PTI quoted an ATS release as saying.

Police said more inputs about the ISI racket will known after going through the accused's mobile phone. 

Aftab had allegedly gathered information on Army cantonment and other defence establishments, the UP ATS officials said.

He had contact with an official in the Pakistan High Commission and had also met him in New Delhi, IG ATS was quoted as saying.

The UP ATS is likely to make more arrests in connection with the case.