Pakistan-linked ghost SIM card racket busted in Assam
The Hindu
Assam Police bust Pakistan-linked fake SIM card racket, arrest seven suspects across India in Operation Ghost SIM.
The Assam Police have busted an alleged Pakistan-linked fake SIM card racket and arrested seven people from the northeastern, northern, and southern parts of the country.
The arrests followed a tip-off from the Indian Army’s Assam-based Gajraj Corps about a group using fraudulently acquired SIM cards for cybercrimes and anti-national activities. The State police registered a case with its Special Task Force (STF) on May 14 and launched an investigation codenamed Operation Ghost SIM.
Five of the arrested men are from Rajasthan. While Saddik (47), Arif Khan (20), and Sajid (21) were arrested from Alwar and Bharatpur districts, Akeek (25) was arrested from Guwahati airport and Arsad Khan (34) from New Delhi airport.
The remaining two are from western Assam’s Dhubri district. Jakariya Ahmad (24) was arrested from the district’s Bilasipara, while Mofijul Islam (19) was arrested from Telangana’s Sangareddy district.
“Our Special Branch and STF worked on this case with inputs provided by the military intelligence, and our counterparts in Rajasthan and Telangana helped us catch the people involved in this racket,” Assam’s Director General of Police Harmeet Singh told journalists in Guwahati on Saturday.
Apart from seizing 948 ghost SIM cards and other technical devices, the police picked up 14 people from different places in Dhubri district. “We are trying to find out if they are involved in this racket or were duped [by the cyber criminals],” Mr. Singh said.
During the investigation, the police found that WhatsApp accounts were created by using these fraudulent SIM cards with OTPs for activation routed to Pakistan.
EVM commissioning for local body elections begins in Kozhikode, covering multiple blocks and municipalities, set to complete by December 7.
Wildlife researchers capture rare photograph of Sonnerat's shrew, believed extinct for over 200 years, in the Nilgiris.
Pinarayi Vijayan criticizes ED's notice to KIIFB, pledging legal defense and emphasizing adherence to RBI guidelines for infrastructure funding.
Supreme Court rejects mercy plea of convicted 'Swami' serving life for the 1991 murder of his wife, Shakereh Khaleeli.
Telangana, Australia’s Deakin University ink pact to set up CoE for AI
Farmers protest in Kalaburagi, demanding immediate opening of maize procurement centres and a support price of ₹3,000 per quintal.
Delhi High Court affirms MHA’s 2013 policy prohibiting colour-blind recruits in CAPFs, citing safety concerns for armed forces.
BJP leader Annamalai criticizes DMK for minority appeasement and defying court orders on Karthigai Deepam at Thirupparankundram.
'Telangana doing well in Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme'
Join The Hindu in School Science Festival in Madikeri on December 13 for an exciting inter-school competition in science and math.
Discover Karnataka's rich heritage at GI Mahotsav 3.0, showcasing unique Geographical Indication products at CFTRI, Mysuru.
IndiGo flight disruptions lead to a five-fold increase in charter jet demand, especially from Hyderabad, as travelers seek alternatives.
Setting up ‘happiness centres’ is a poll plank put forth by E.S. Rakesh Pai, the LDF candidate for Chathari ward (no.16) in Tripunithura municipality