Jaisalmer: A spy from Pakistan, arrested in Rajasthan, is being interrogated in Jaisalmer today.
Nandlal Maharaj was tracked down on Wednesday at a hotel in Jaisalmer. "He had maps of the border areas and photographs, he is probably part of a big espionage network," said Gaurav Yadav, Superintendent of Police.
Intelligence sources believe he was helping to smuggle weapons and explosives into India.
The spy allegedly crossed into India with a valid passport and visa and was allowed through a checkpost on the border with Pakistan at Munabo.
He was then seen in one of the 350 villages along the Jaisalmer border that are out of bounds for foreigners; Indians also need special permission to enter the zone.
Villagers told investigators that Maharaj was offering money in exchange for information on high-security areas and arrangements.
Intelligence agencies are trying to find out who he was working with in Rajasthan.
"Following a tip off, a team of intelligence personnel caught him from a hotel in Jaisalmer. He had classified information stored in micro SD cards besides photographs of defence installations and vehicles,” U R Sahoo, ADG Intelligence, said.
Meghwal, who was arrested last night, was being taken to Jaipur for joint interrogation by intelligence agencies. "Primary investigation reveals that the accused remained in constant touch from Pakistan with anti-social elements and smugglers living in border areas of Rajasthan and also smuggled them various articles," Sahoo said.
"In lieu of smuggling items on cheap rates, he used to collect information about defence and intelligence agencies and their activities and would pass it on to his handlers of ISI,” the ADG said.
The accused used WhastApp, Facebook and Skype for communicating with his sources in the border areas, he added.
State Home Minister Gulabchand Kataria said the accused has come to India on visa several times.
Additional SP CID (Intelligence) Rajiv Dutta said the accused had visa for Jodhpur only but he came to visit Jaislamer in violation of the visa norms.
According to reports, this is the first time that Pakistan has sent a ‘Hindu’ spy on visa and passport.
Maharaj had been staying in Jaisalmer since the last six months. He operated a textile showroom in Pakistan and has sound financial background.
