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Time of India
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
The 'taxi driver-spy' who almost slipped through the cracks: How India nabbed ISI's man before it was too late
How it unfolded: From Nepal route to Delhi trap Live Events Ansarul Miya Ansari's Trail: From taxi driver in Qatar to radicalised agent Akhlaque Azam: The logistics man in Ranchi Pak High Commission under lens (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel In a calculated and stealthy operation that ran from January to March 2025, Indian intelligence agencies dismantled an ISI-backed spy network just in time to prevent a planned terror attack in the heart of the national capital, as reported by TOI. The mission, which authorities described as 'a masterclass in espionage craft,' ended with the arrest of two individuals: Ansarul Miya Ansari , a Pakistani-trained operative of Nepali origin, and Akhlaque Azam , an Indian national aiding the plot from 15 February, Ansari was arrested in central Delhi, found in possession of confidential documents related to the Indian Armed Forces. He was on his way to exit India via Nepal when officials moved in. This seemingly routine arrest cracked open a far more serious operation tied directly to Pakistan's intelligence agency, the ISI The operation began with a vague but urgent tip-off. Indian agencies had received intelligence that a foreign agent had entered Delhi via Nepal to gather sensitive military information. The stakes were high — sources revealed plans for a strike targeting strategic sites, including Palam Air Force Base, the CGO Complex, and Delhi acted with precision. A source close to the operation said, 'Our men were making efforts to collect information about Pak-backed terror outfits active in different parts of India and sleeper cells providing logistic support to them.'The mission was activated in response to increasing threats in the region, especially after ISI-supported groups like Babbar Khalsa International launched grenade attacks in Punjab. With Delhi in the crosshairs, agencies chose to move path to espionage started far from India. During interrogation, he confessed that he had been working as a taxi driver in Qatar since 2008, where he was recruited by an ISI handler. 'In June 2024, he visited Pakistan for a month, where he was introduced to high-ranking officials of the Pakistani Army and radicalised by discussing issues like the Babri Masjid demolition and the implementation of CAA/NRC in India,' the court report was trained in spycraft and handed the mission to enter Delhi via Nepal, collect military secrets, and pass them back to ISI. His assignment included creating a CD of the stolen documents for safe Ansari's arrest, interrogation led to another key suspect: Akhlaque Azam. Arrested in March during a coordinated raid in Ranchi, Azam was allegedly providing logistical support to Ansari while maintaining regular contact with Pakistani handlers. According to sources, 'The two were in constant communication with their Pakistani handlers, and their conversations were laced with suspicion and intrigue.'Mobile phone analysis revealed incriminating exchanges suggesting a much wider conspiracy, with digital traces leading back to known ISI operatives Muzammil and Ehsan-ur-Rahim, alias Danish. These names also came up in separate probes into the activities of Pakistani diplomatic staff in investigation uncovered evidence of involvement by individuals within the Pakistan High Commission. Indian authorities suspect that diplomatic cover may have been misused by ISI officers who were attempting to influence local YouTubers and social media influencers to act as unwitting information a related crackdown, a YouTuber from Hisar, Haryana — Jyoti Malhotra — was arrested recently for allegedly sharing sensitive information and being in regular contact with a Pakistani seriousness of the case led to the filing of a chargesheet in May under the Official Secrets Act. Both accused — Ansari and Azam — remain in high-security custody at Tihar Jail. Authorities are keeping a close watch to ensure they do not radicalise or influence other trial is expected to begin shortly. A senior officer involved in the probe remarked, 'We are on high alert to prevent any threats to national security. It may be a cat-and-mouse game, but India's agencies want to be the ones holding the reins.'The operation is being seen as a pre-emptive success — not just in thwarting an espionage plot, but in exposing the deeper tentacles of foreign influence attempting to undermine India's internal security from within.(With inputs from TOI)
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
The spy who spooked Delhi: ISI's secret mission crushed before it could explode
Representative Image (AI) NEW DELHI: In a meticulously executed three-month covert operation, Indian intelligence agencies dismantled a high-stakes espionage ring linked to Pakistan's ISI, preventing a potential terrorist strike in the national capital. Under Arrest 1. Ansarul Miya Ansari , a Pakistani spy 2. Akhlaque Azam, India-based logistics person Charges: Espionage – possession of confidential documents related to Indian Armed Forces Background and Investigation Central agency received intelligence about ISI's plan to send a spy to Delhi to collect sensitive information related to Indian Armed Forces Classified information was to be used by ISI to launch attack on Delhi Targets included Palam Air Force base , CGO Complex and Army cantonment, Delhi Cantt The Operation Team gathered information through on-ground sources and laid a trap Ansari was apprehended in Feb in Delhi while he was on his way back to Pakistan via Nepal Case registered under Official Secrets Act A chargesheet filed in city court in May Role of Pak High Commission officials emerged Incriminating conversations between accused and Pakistani handlers found on mobile phones Akhlaque Azam arrested in March during a raid Role of Akhlaque Azam as logistics support in India emerged Visited Pakistan in June 2024 for a month, met several high-ranking military officials Contacted by ISI recruiter during visit The operation ended with the arrest of Ansarul Miya Ansari, a Pakistani operative tasked with gathering sensitive Indian armed forces data and Akhlaque Azam, an Indian national providing logistical support. The probe uncovered suspicious communications involving staffers at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi, believed to have aided ISI officers Muzammil and Ehsan-ur-Rahim in cultivating Indian influencers for intelligence purposes. The operation began in January with a tip-off about an ISI agent entering Delhi via Nepal to collect classified military documents and coordinates. After intelligence confirmed an imminent attack plan targeting key defence installations—including Palam Air Force base, the CGO Complex, and Delhi Cantonment—authorities laid a trap. On 15 February, Ansari was apprehended in central Delhi carrying sensitive documents, as he attempted to return to Pakistan. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Health: This unbreakable military watch is making seniors happy this year Indestructible Smartwatch Undo Subsequent investigations revealed Azam's role as a logistics facilitator in India, with intercepted mobile phone conversations indicating a wider conspiracy involving Pakistani handlers. Azam was arrested in March during a coordinated raid. Further interrogation disclosed Ansari's radicalisation and recruitment by the ISI during a month-long stay in Pakistan in June 2024, where he met high-ranking military officials and received espionage training. The chargesheet filed in May under the Official Secrets Act formally accuses both men of espionage related to possession and attempted transfer of classified military information. With trial proceedings set to begin, the accused remain in Tihar jail's high-security wing under close watch to prevent any influence over other inmates. Authorities remain vigilant, signalling a firm stance in safeguarding national security from covert threats.
News18
22-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
ISI's Delhi Terror Attack Plot Foiled In 3-Month-Long Operation, Spy Arrested: Report
Last Updated: Pakistani spy was identified as Ansarul Miya Ansari, who arrived in India via Nepal. His Indian associate, Akhlaque Azam, a Ranchi resident, was also arrested during the operation. In a significant success against ISI's nefarious plans to carry out a terror attack in the national capital, the intelligence agencies unearthed and destroyed a dangerous spy network through a secret operation that lasted three months, according to a report. Two highly trained people, including Ansarul Miya Ansari, a Pakistani spy, were arrested during the covert operation. Ansari was given the job of providing sensitive information about the Indian armed forces to his handlers in Pakistan, the report said. The investigation also raises suspicion about some staffers of the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi. ISI officers Muzammil and Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, who had been trying to influence Indian YouTubers and social media influencers, were also believed to be involved in the plan, Times of India reported. More to follow…
