Itanagar Police arrests two from J&K for espionage activities in Arunachal

Itanagar Police arrested two persons from Jammu and Kashmir for alleged espionage activities in Arunachal Pradesh, a police officer said on Tuesday (December 23, 2025).

Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Chukhu Apa said the two men were arrested from Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district on December 18 and brought to the state where they are currently in police custody.

The identities of the arrested persons were stated as Aijaz Ahmed Bhat and Bashir Ahmad Ganai.

Another person, who was earlier detained at Miao in Changlang district, was released after investigators found no material evidence linking him to espionage activities, the IGP said.

According to the police officer, the accused allegedly collected sensitive information from different parts of Arunachal Pradesh and shared it with officials in Pakistan.

The case first came to light on November 21, when police arrested Nazir Ahmad Malik and Sabir Ahmed Mir, residents of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district, following specific intelligence input that they suspected them of being involved in espionage activities.

Malik was first detained in Itanagar’s Ganga village and based on information received from him, Mir was arrested at Abotani colony in the state capital on the same day.

West Xiang police arrested Hilal Ahmed, also from Kupwara district, who was running a fabric shop at the trade fair in Old Market, from a shop in district headquarters town Aalo.

Changlang police also arrested one Gulam Md Mir from Miao and he was later released by the police.

The IGP said the arrested persons were mostly blanket dealers who traveled to various parts of the state to collect information.

“We were working based on reliable information about a spy ring operating out of Arunachal Pradesh. The team led by Itanagar SP Jummar Basar worked diligently and made these arrests. Two persons were arrested from Kupwara and three persons from different parts of Itanagar Capital District,” Mr. Apa said.

On the possibility of further arrests, the IGP said that the interrogation of the accused is ongoing and forensic reports are awaited.

“We will go further based on the evidence in the coming days. Most of those arrested are blanket dealers who visited various parts of the state to collect information.”

Expressing concern about lax verification practices, Mr. Apa urged citizens to be careful.

“I appeal to the people of Arunachal Pradesh to do police verification before allowing anyone to stay in your property for security reasons. Do not allow people to stay in your home without proper verification,” he said.