Pakistani Handler Tied to CRPF ASI Moti Ram Jat's Espionage: Contact with Army, Paramilitary, and Government Officials Uncovered

Investigations into the espionage case involving CRPF Assistant Sub-Inspector Moti Ram Jat have uncovered extensive connections between Pakistani handlers and several Indian officials. A report by Indian Express indicates that a Pakistani intelligence operative linked to Jat also contacted at least 15 other individuals, including personnel from the Army, paramilitary officers, and central government employees.

Moti Ram Jat was detained on May 27 by the National Investigation Agency, accused of leaking sensitive documents to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence. Officials have revealed that Jat had been in regular contact with his handler, identified as Salim Ahmed, since 2023, exchanging classified information for monetary compensation.

15 Numbers Under Scanner

Technical surveillance has identified that Salim Ahmed made contact with 15 Indian phone numbers: four associated with Army personnel, four linked to paramilitary forces, and seven attributed to central government employees. Intelligence authorities are now examining the extent of contact and any potential leaks from these numbers.

Payments and Hawala Network

Jat reportedly received monthly payments amounting to ₹12,000 for providing classified intelligence, including troop deployment details and terrorist movements. The funds were transferred through a network of accounts spread across several states, including Delhi, Maharashtra, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Assam, and West Bengal. One of the senders, identified as Shahzad, was previously detained by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad in May for espionage and cross-border smuggling activities.

Honeytrap and Fake Journalists

Reports suggest Jat was initially approached by a woman masquerading as a journalist from a Chandigarh-based news channel. After establishing trust through phone and video interactions, she allegedly persuaded him to pass on documents. Subsequently, a man claiming to be a journalist, believed to be a Pakistani official, continued the communication.

SIM Card Trail Leads to Pakistan Link

The SIM card used to communicate with Jat was obtained in Kolkata by an individual with ties to Pakistan. This person married a Pakistani national in 2007, relocated to Lahore in 2014, and frequently traveled to Kolkata. Intelligence officials suspect that he played a crucial role in facilitating communication between ISI handlers and Jat.

Classified Inputs Compromised

Investigators suspect Jat compromised multiple sensitive documents, including security deployment strategies, reports from various agencies circulated on official WhatsApp groups, troop movement plans, and counter-terrorism intelligence.

The case has set off alarms among security agencies, prompting a broader investigation to assess the extent of ISI infiltration within Indian institutions.