Men arrested from Pathankot cantonment part of Pakistan's ISI 'spy network': Police officials

QUICK PILL

• Besides Irshad Ahmed, police officials also arrested his handler Sajjad.

• Sajjad shared pictures of Pathankot air base with ISI officials in pakistan via emails and received money for the same.

An undercover agent working for Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was arrested from the Mamoon Army Cantonment at Pathankot on Monday night.

According to reports by The Hindu, he was allegedly promised Rs. 50,000 to capture pictures of buildings inside the campus, which had 'distinguishable markings' on them, a senior government official has claimed.

The accused, Irshad Ahmad, was picked up from Pathankot Cantt and his handler Sajjad was arrested a few days earlier.

Meanwhile, a third accused, Akram was arrested on Tuesday from Jammu.

The accused, Irshad took up the job of a casual labourer inside the Army Cantt on 22 January with the help of a labour contractor.

His handler, Sajjad was passing on pictures sent to him by Irshad to an ISI official in Pakistan through e-mails and web-based application services, the report added.

"Irshad had already received Rs. 10,000 for the first cache of pictures he sent to his handler. He was to get the remaining amount on reaching Jammu," an official was quoted as saying.

Pathankot still a target?

The report further adds that the arrest is considered to be important as Pathankot is said to be on the radar of terrorist outfits.

Indian Air Force base in Pathankot was stormed by militants belonging to Pakistan-based terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad on the night of 1 January and 2 January that resulted in the death of seven security personnel.

H/T: The Hindu