Gujarat ATS arrests Pak spy who came to India in 1999; WhatsApp got him caught

He was sending malware to phones and stealing sensitive information.

Published on: Oct 20, 2023, 16:20:22 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

The Gujarat anti-terror squad arrested a spy from Anand district's Tarapur town on Friday. A native of Pakistan, he had been sending sensitive information to Pakistani agencies.

The ATS said it received inputs from the military intelligence that a Pakistani agent was using WhatsApp on an Indian SIM card. He was sending malware to phones and stealing sensitive information.

"Gujarat ATS received input from the military intelligence that a Pakistani army or a Pakistan agent is using WhatsApp on an Indian SIM Card. He was sending Remote Access Trojan (RAT) malware to access phones and stealing sensitive information," Gujarat ATS SP Om Prakash Jat said, ANI reported.

He said the SIM card was issued under the name Muhammad Saklain Thaim and was activated on the mobile phone of Azgar Hajibhai.

"After activation, the SIM card was delivered in Anand, Tarapur to a person named Labhshankar Maheshwari on the instructions of a person associated with the Pakistan Embassy," he added.

Labhshankar Maheshwari, born and brought up in Pakistan, came to India in 1999 and got Indian citizenship later. His family still lives in Pakistan.

"Labhshankar Maheshwari was a Pakistani citizen who came to India in 1999, he got Indian citizenship later. His extended family is still in Pakistan... The concerned WhatsApp number is still active in Pakistan. They are targeting the family members of the Indian Army personnel," he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More