The National Investigation Agency (NIA) recently arrested Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Moti Ram Jat on May 26, accusing him of sharing critical intelligence with Pakistani officials. What makes the case more intriguing is the fact that Jat’s transfer occurred just five days before the Pahalgam attack in April 2023. Investigations revealed that Jat had been providing sensitive information to Pakistani intelligence officers, who had posed as journalists, for nearly two years in exchange for monetary compensation.
Financial Motive Behind Espionage
The NIA’s investigation uncovered that Moti Ram Jat had been sharing confidential national security-related details with Pakistani operatives since 2023. In return, Jat was receiving payments through various means, with some payments reaching up to ₹12,000 for particularly valuable information. The payments were transferred to his and his wife’s bank accounts, and the rates for each piece of information were fixed.
Each intelligence update, whether it was regarding a visit by Home Minister Amit Shah or a senior officer, was shared by Jat with the Pakistani agents. These operatives, posing as journalists from a prominent Pakistani news channel, would make regular payments to Jat, with ₹3,500 being deposited on the 4th of every month. For special and sensitive information, Jat would receive an additional ₹12,000.
Targeted by Pakistani Intelligence
Sources indicate that Jat had been specifically targeted by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), who used monetary incentives to gain access to crucial security data. Jat, stationed in the 116th Battalion of the CRPF, was allegedly recruited by the ISI to spy on sensitive matters pertaining to national security. His consistent sharing of critical updates and intelligence made him a key asset for the Pakistani agency.
Transfer Just Before the Attack
Moti Ram Jat was posted in Pahalgam, an area that became the site of a major terrorist attack on April 22, 2023. Interestingly, just five days before this attack, Jat was transferred out of the region. This timing has raised suspicions, and investigations are now underway to determine if Jat’s involvement in the spy network may have had any connections to the terrorist activities in the area.
The NIA has also been combing through Jat’s mobile phone, attempting to uncover further details about his connections with foreign agents. Additionally, the agency is questioning his close associates, as there is a possibility that others might also be involved in this espionage operation.
Implications of the Espionage Network
The arrest of ASI Moti Ram Jat has shed light on a broader network of espionage, and the NIA is closely investigating the extent of his involvement. Officials believe that the spy operation could have far-reaching implications, and more arrests may follow as the investigation progresses.
This case highlights the dangers posed by external intelligence agencies infiltrating internal security forces, and it serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to counter espionage activities that threaten the nation’s security.
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