New Delhi, May 20: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a Kolkata resident allegedly involved in spying for Pakistani Intelligence Officers (PIOs) as part of an anti-India terror conspiracy.
According to an official NIA press release, the accused has been identified as Zafar Riaz alias Rizvi, who was allegedly passing confidential and security-related information to Pakistani intelligence operatives.
The NIA stated that a Look Out Circular (LOC) had already been issued against the accused and proceedings were underway to declare him a Proclaimed Offender (PO) before he was taken into custody.
The accused has been booked under various sections of: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Official Secrets Act, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P) Act]. Investigators revealed that Zafar Riaz was married to a Pakistani national and his children were also Pakistani citizens.
Earlier Convicted in Espionage Case
The agency said the accused had earlier been convicted in an espionage case under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Official Secrets Act.
According to NIA investigations in case RC-12/2025/NIA/DLI, the accused had been travelling frequently between India and Pakistan since 2005.
During one such visit, Pakistani Intelligence Officers allegedly contacted and cultivated him to carry out espionage activities in India in exchange for financial benefits and the promise of Pakistani citizenship.
OTPs Used to Activate WhatsApp Accounts
The NIA further alleged that the accused helped facilitate espionage and terror-related activities by sharing One-Time Passwords (OTPs) linked to Indian mobile numbers with Pakistani operatives.
According to investigators, the OTPs were used to activate WhatsApp accounts, which were allegedly used for secret communication between Pakistani handlers and other accused persons.
The agency said one Motiram Jat, another accused in the case, was also allegedly involved in transmitting sensitive security-related information to Pakistani Intelligence Officers.
Probe Into Wider Espionage Network Continues
The NIA stated that investigations are continuing to identify other individuals linked to the espionage racket and to uncover the larger conspiracy behind the operation.
The agency is also probing possible cross-border terror and intelligence links connected to the case.
