New Delhi, Aug 28: The Delhi Police Special Cell has busted a Pakistan-based espionage network that used Indian SIM cards, procured through local contacts, to access WhatsApp groups and allegedly gather sensitive information, officials said on Friday.

The Special Cell’s Northern Range arrested a Delhi-based couple, Mohammad Sahil and his wife, Sameera, for working with Pakistani intelligence operatives since 2024. Police said the couple was also tasked with recruiting people for reconnaissance of cantonment areas at different locations in India.

According to investigators, the network procured Indian SIM cards through local contacts and sent them to Pakistan via Dubai. The SIM cards were used there to activate WhatsApp accounts, which Pakistani intelligence operatives subsequently used to gain access to Indian WhatsApp groups and approach Indian users for sensitive information.

Police said eight Indian SIM cards were sent to Pakistan through Dubai during 2024 and 2025. The couple was reportedly paid around Rs 30,000 by Pakistani handlers for the cards.

The case came to light after the Special Cell received information about an ISI-backed Pakistani intelligence operative network active in Delhi-NCR. A team led by Inspectors Anuj Nautiyal and Chandan Kumar, under the supervision of ACP Rahul Kumar Singh, developed the intelligence and identified the alleged local links.

Sahil was arrested from Sarai Kale Khan. During the forensic examination of his mobile phone, police found incriminating conversations with Pakistani agents.

During interrogation, Sahil allegedly told investigators that he came in contact with a Pakistani agent on Instagram in 2024 through Sameera, whom he later married. The agent subsequently introduced the couple to a Pakistani intelligence operative, who allegedly recruited them into the network after promising financial benefits.

Police said Sahil and Sameera provided logistical support to the network and were asked to recruit additional individuals for espionage-related activities and field operations.

Sahil was assigned to recruit people for reconnaissance of cantonment areas and gather details about Army personnel whose court-martial proceedings were pending before tribunals.

Following Sahil’s interrogation, police arrested Sameera, who said that she played a key role in arranging and supplying Indian SIM cards to the Pakistani handlers.

Two mobile phones used in the activities were recovered. Their forensic examination reportedly revealed WhatsApp chats and other conversations between the couple and Pakistani handlers.

Police said interrogation of the accused provided insights into the alleged modus operandi of the Pakistan-based operatives and their coordination with local contacts through digital communication platforms.

The Special Cell said the operation helped disrupt the alleged espionage activities of the Pakistan-based network and uncover its local support structure in Delhi-NCR.

Ahmedabad, Aug 28: Gujarat’s Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA) has seized cosmetics and related material worth more than Rs 2.68 lakh from a firm in Ahmedabad’s Tragad area after finding that products were allegedly being manufactured and repackaged without the required licence and quality testing.

Acting on confidential information, an FDCA team carried out surprise checking at ‘Aanki Herbal’ on August 25.

According to the department, the firm was manufacturing cosmetics and repackaging products from bulk packs without obtaining the necessary licence or conducting quality tests.

Officials seized stocks including fairness cream, dark-circle cream, shampoo, hair oil, body wash, face wash, scrub, solid perfume and glycerine-based soap.

Raw material, packing material and printed labels were also seized, taking the total value of the material to more than Rs 2.68 lakh.

The department’s investigation found that bulk material used in the activity was allegedly purchased from ‘Ravi Marketing’ in Odhav area of Ahmedabad.

“Cosmetics were repackaged and glycerine soap manufactured illegally at a flat in Shivanta Regal,” the department said.

The investigation has been extended to Ravi Marketing. FDCA officials also collected samples of 10 different cosmetic products from the premises and sent them to a laboratory for analysis to assess their quality.

The action comes as the state Food and Drug Regulatory Administration steps up enforcement against unauthorised cosmetic manufacturing and repackaging.

The department said further legal action would be taken against activities found to compromise public health and safety.

Health Minister Praful Pansheriya said: “The government would maintain a ‘zero tolerance’ approach towards such activities and continue strict legal action against those found violating regulations.”

Separately, the Ahmedabad City Crime Branch and FDCA have busted an interstate syndicate allegedly involved in manufacturing, procuring and distributing counterfeit blood-pressure medicines, with three people arrested from Ahmedabad and Lucknow.

The investigation began after a pharmaceutical company based in Ankleshwar alerted the FDCA about counterfeit versions of Nicardia Retard 10, a nifedipine sustained-release medicine used for high blood pressure, being sold in the market.

Investigators traced suspected counterfeit stock to medical stores and agencies in Gujarat and identified links to suppliers in Lucknow and Jaipur.

Thirty strips of the suspected counterfeit medicine were recovered from Kishan Medical Store in Nadiad, while further stock was recovered from Navkar Medical Agency and Mahadev Medical Agency in Bhuj, according to the investigation.

The Kutch supply was allegedly linked to AVR Medicos in Jaipur. The three arrested accused were identified as Dashil Sanghavi, 39, of Ahmedabad, and Devendra Yadav, 39, and Umang Rastogi, 34, both from Lucknow.

A case has been registered with the Crime Branch as the investigation continuing.

Pansheriya congratulated the Ahmedabad City Police Commissioner and personnel of the Crime Branch and FDCA for the operation.

Jammu, Aug 27: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Jammu and Kashmir Police has arrested three more suspects, including the key perpetrator, in connection with the rape and death of a 15-year-old tribal girl in Kishtwar district last week, the police confirmed on Thursday.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kishtwar, Naresh Singh, stated that the newly arrested individuals include a government school teacher accused of repeated sexual assault, his brother, and a daily-wager sweeper at District Hospital Kishtwar.

The minor girl allegedly died on August 20 following an abortion attempt in Chatroo area of the district.

The SSP said two of the accused have been identified as Mohd Ishaq and Riyaz Ahmed Sheikh, while the identity of the daily-wage sweeper is yet to be available.

According to the police, the minor was allegedly repeatedly raped by the teacher over several months, resulting in her pregnancy.

The Chatroo police received information about the girl’s suspicious death on August 20. As no formal complaint had initially been received, the police began inquest proceedings to establish the circumstances surrounding her death.

“During the course of the inquest, material disclosing the commission of cognizable offences surfaced,” the SSP said.

The proceedings were subsequently converted into an FIR at Chatroo police station.

The FIR was registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to rape and death caused by miscarriage, among other offences. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act was also invoked. During the investigation, provisions of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were added.

Given the seriousness and sensitivity of the case, the police constituted an SIT headed by Additional SP Kishtwar Pardeep Singh. The team includes Deputy Superintendent of Police Nitish Sharma, Chatroo SHO Inspector Rishi Kumar and other officers. It has been directed to conduct a thorough, scientific and time-bound investigation into all aspects of the case.

During the inquest and subsequent investigation, evidence allegedly emerged against the government teacher, including allegations that he had repeatedly sexually assaulted the minor, resulting in her pregnancy.

The probe further revealed that the teacher, allegedly in criminal conspiracy with his brother, administered medicines purportedly intended to terminate the pregnancy, Singh said.

The girl was initially taken to the Public Health Centre in Chatroo for medical treatment and was later shifted to District Hospital Kishtwar by the accused and others. The police allege that the hospital’s daily-wager sweeper was also involved in the conspiracy. The minor received treatment at the hospital and underwent an ultrasound examination.

Accordingly, Ishaq, Sheikh and the sweeper were arrested for their alleged involvement in the conspiracy, the SSP said. He added that further arrests would be made wherever warranted by evidence.

“The investigation is being conducted in a fair, impartial, professional, scientific and evidence-based manner,” Singh said, adding that every aspect of the case was being examined and legal action would be taken against anyone found involved.

Meanwhile, the local Imam of Kishtwar Jamia Masjid has called for a complete shutdown across the district on Thursday, demanding a thorough investigation and action against all those responsible. The shutdown call has received support from various organisations, including lawyers and Hindu religious bodies.

The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has also issued notices to the Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary, Director General of Police and Kishtwar SSP, seeking their responses within five days. The commission said it may summon the officials in person if they fail to respond. It has decided to probe the alleged rape and death of the minor girl.