“Odisha Police Detain Three Individuals for Sharing SIM Cards and OTPs with Pakistani Spy Agency”
In a significant development, the Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha police has apprehended three individuals involved in an illicit operation of obtaining a large number of SIM cards and sharing one-time passwords (OTPs) with Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIO) and ISI agents. The trio was discovered to have procured SIM cards under false identities and sold the OTPs to clients, including PIO and ISI agents, with payment arrangements facilitated by Pakistani agents based in India. Notably, a female PIO agent previously arrested in Rajasthan was found to be linked to this network, as per the Odisha STF statement.
Acting on intelligence inputs, the STF successfully detained the three accused individuals in separate operations conducted in Nayagarh and Jajpur Districts. The suspects have been identified as Pathanisamant Lenka (35), an ITI teacher, Saroj Kumar Nayak (26), and Soumya Pattanaik (19). During the raids, law enforcement authorities seized a substantial amount of incriminating evidence, including 19 mobile phones, 47 pre-activated SIM cards, 61 ATM cards, 23 SIM covers, and laptops.
Also Read: “MP Board Result 2023: MPBSE Class 5th And 8th Results To Be Declared Today”
The seized OTPs were exploited to create multiple accounts and channels on various social media platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, Instagram, as well as online shopping sites such as Amazon and Flipkart. These accounts, seemingly operated by Indian users, were actually controlled from Pakistan, enabling them to engage in activities detrimental to India’s interests.
The social media platforms were utilized for purposes like espionage, communication with terrorists, radicalization, dissemination of anti-India propaganda, promoting divisive sentiments, sextortion, and Honey-Trapping. Additionally, the suspects were involved in the creation and sale of mule accounts through social media groups, which are utilized in various criminal activities.
