India arrests Sri Lankan national who 'spied for neighbouring country'

Published September 11, 2014
Arun Selvarajan was said to be indulging in espionage activities at the instigation of Pakistan. — File photo/AFP
Arun Selvarajan was said to be indulging in espionage activities at the instigation of Pakistan. — File photo/AFP

Indian authorities on Thursday arrested a Sri Lankan national on charges of spying for 'a neighbouring country', said a statement issued by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA).

According to the NIA press release, Arun Selvarajan was arrested for his involvement in the Thameem Ansari case at the claimed instigation of a neighbouring country. Indian media has termed the neighbouring country Pakistan.

The NIA statement said that Selvarajan was found in possession of two passports, from Sri Lanka and India.

"He has learnt to have gained access to certain vital installations in the guise of managing events," the statement added.

Selvarajan was passing on information using internet communication and "incriminating evidence" had been seized from him by the Indian authorities, it was alleged. He also has criminal cases pending in Sri Lanka against him along with a look out circular, the statement said.

Ansari was arrested in September 2012 during an IB-Q branch joint operation for allegedly carrying CDs and a pen drive that had information on important military areas and also landing points on the southern coastline in India.

He was allegedly carrying a DVD of training paratroopers landing in some desert and also a Signal Corps parade. He was also allegedly carrying visuals the Indian Army insignia that army officers wear on their shirts according to the Times of India.

Opinion

Editorial

X post facto
Updated 19 Apr, 2024

X post facto

Our decision-makers should realise the harm they are causing.
Insufficient inquiry
19 Apr, 2024

Insufficient inquiry

UNLESS the state is honest about the mistakes its functionaries have made, we will be doomed to repeat our follies....
Melting glaciers
19 Apr, 2024

Melting glaciers

AFTER several rain-related deaths in KP in recent days, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority has sprung into...
IMF’s projections
Updated 18 Apr, 2024

IMF’s projections

The problems are well-known and the country is aware of what is needed to stabilise the economy; the challenge is follow-through and implementation.
Hepatitis crisis
18 Apr, 2024

Hepatitis crisis

THE sheer scale of the crisis is staggering. A new WHO report flags Pakistan as the country with the highest number...
Never-ending suffering
18 Apr, 2024

Never-ending suffering

OVER the weekend, the world witnessed an intense spectacle when Iran launched its drone-and-missile barrage against...