AI Generated Summary
- The investigators suspect that the group was instructed to follow a method similar to the one allegedly adopted in Ludhiana — renting commercial premises close to a sensitive installation and using CCTV cameras to discreetly record movement and activity in the area.
- Three men arrested for allegedly conducting surveillance near a military installation in Ludhiana were also preparing to set up CCTV cameras close to sensitive security establishments in Ferozepur and Rajasthan, police officials have said.
- Police said the probe remains under way and further action would be taken against anyone found to have assisted the accused or played a role in the alleged racket.
Three men arrested for allegedly conducting surveillance near a military installation in Ludhiana were also preparing to set up CCTV cameras close to sensitive security establishments in Ferozepur and Rajasthan, police officials have said.
The alleged expansion of the surveillance operation came to light during the interrogation of Rashpal Singh, Rohit Masih and Varinder Masih, all residents of Gurdaspur district. The trio had recently been arrested by Ludhiana police for allegedly spying on a military area through cameras installed at a shoe shop on Ferozepur Road.
Investigators said the accused had allegedly been in contact with handlers linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), who wanted the surveillance network to be replicated at other strategically important locations.
According to police, the three men were expected to travel to Ferozepur and Rajasthan to identify suitable sites from where cameras could be positioned near military or other security establishments. The proposed locations had not yet been finalised when the arrests were made.
The investigators suspect that the group was instructed to follow a method similar to the one allegedly adopted in Ludhiana — renting commercial premises close to a sensitive installation and using CCTV cameras to discreetly record movement and activity in the area.
Police said the footage collected through such cameras was allegedly meant to be shared with handlers in Pakistan. Funds for establishing the surveillance infrastructure at additional locations were expected to reach the operatives through hawala channels.
The investigation has also indicated that the three accused had allegedly begun working for the Pakistani intelligence network only a few months before their arrest. During this period, they are suspected to have received around Rs 3 lakh to Rs 4 lakh for carrying out assigned tasks.
Officials said that although preparations for expanding the operation had begun, no similar camera installations had been established by the accused outside Ludhiana. Their arrest, police believe, prevented the proposed surveillance network from spreading to Ferozepur and Rajasthan.
Investigators are now examining the financial trail and communication links associated with the alleged espionage network to determine whether more people were involved in facilitating the operation.
Police said the probe remains under way and further action would be taken against anyone found to have assisted the accused or played a role in the alleged racket.
