JAMMU: A suspected Pakistani intelligence agent was arrested by J&K Police’s special operations group (SOG) from Samba district on Wednesday.

Acting on a specific input, a team of Jammu SOG arrested the suspect identified as Pankaj Sharma of Samba’s Tarore area, who was working as an operative of the Pakistani intelligence agencies. Sharma was “in touch with Pakistani agents since last few years and in this period had sent photos and videos of vital areas and installations — mostly of Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts — to his Pakistani handlers via social media platforms for money,” a spokesperson of the Jammu zone IGP’s office said.

During questioning, Sharma confessed of his involvement in passing crucial information about vital installations, including sensitive bridges on national highways and in border areas to his Pakistani handlers, the spokesperson added. He has been handed over to Trikuta Nagar police station in Jammu for further action.

Cops are analyzing the accused’s two bank accounts and a preliminary probe indicates some suspicious monetary transactions. “The bank accounts are being further analysed,” the spokesperson said, adding that an investigation in the case is underway.

On January 8, a surrendered terrorist, identified as Parvaiz Ahmad Bhat of Srinagar , was detained in Parmandal for questioning during an operation in Samba district. Bhat had been active in Kashmir in the early 1990s before his surrender.

