Rajasthan CID Intelligence Scores Big: ISI Funding Agent Arrested, Major Espionage Network Busted

Jaipur: In a significant breakthrough against espionage and anti-national activities, the CID (Intelligence) wing of the Rajasthan Police has successfully dismantled a major funding network operated by Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI. The agency has arrested a key operative responsible for channeling funds to individuals engaged in espionage activities against India. This operation marks a crucial victory in neutralizing a dangerous network involved in leaking sensitive military information to foreign handlers.

Key Highlights of the Operation:

• Major Arrest: The Rajasthan CID Intelligence wing has apprehended Rafiq Chand Sheikh, an alleged funding agent for the ISI.
• Trans-Border Connection: The accused had been in direct contact with ISI handlers via social media for approximately four years.
• Funding the Spies: The investigation revealed that this agent was responsible for transferring funds to Jhabra Ram and Sumit Kumar—two individuals arrested in January for leaking classified information about the Indian Army.
• Use of Fraudulent Accounts: Acting on instructions from his Pakistani handlers, the accused used various bank accounts opened in his own name and those of other individuals to facilitate the transfer of funds for anti-national activities.

Links to Previous Espionage Cases Additional Director General (ADG) of Police (Intelligence), Shri Prafull Kumar, explained that the trail for this operation began with the arrest of two individuals earlier this year in January. Acting under the Official Secrets Act, 1923, the intelligence wing had arrested Jhabra Ram, a resident of Jaisalmer, and Sumit Kumar, an MTS employee posted at the Dibrugarh Air Force Station in Assam. Both were accused of transmitting sensitive military secrets to ISI handlers.

Uncovering the Financial Trail Following intensive interrogation of the previously arrested spies, investigators uncovered the financial link behind their espionage activities. The trail led them to 41-year-old Rafiq Chand Sheikh, a resident of Harsul, Aurangabad (Maharashtra).

Four Years of Collaboration with ISI Upon his detention and subsequent questioning, Rafiq Chand Sheikh confessed that he had been working as a financial conduit for the ISI for the past four years. He operated under the direct instructions of his handlers to open multiple bank accounts, which were then used as a tool to supply money to those working against the nation’s security interests.

Investigation Ongoing After confirming his role as a key funding agent for the Pakistani intelligence agency, the Rajasthan CID (Intelligence) formally arrested Rafiq Chand Sheikh on June 30. The authorities have stated that the investigation is currently in a critical phase. They are rigorously probing the extent of this financial network and identifying other individuals involved in these illicit transactions. The Rajasthan Police remains on high alert, continuously monitoring elements acting against the country’s security and ensuring stringent action against all such anti-national activities.