6 arrested in Ghaziabad for sharing ‘sensitive’ location data with Pakistan-linked WhatsApp number

Six people, including a woman, were arrested in Ghaziabad for allegedly filming and sharing sensitive information about railway stations, security establishments and public locations with a mobile number linked to Pakistan through WhatsApp, police said. The arrests were made from the Kaushambi area following a tip-off about suspicious activities involving the filming of strategic locations.

According to officials, the accused were allegedly capturing photographs and location details of public places and security-related sites across the Delhi-NCR region and Mumbai. Investigators said the information was sent to a foreign mobile number with Pakistan’s country code through WhatsApp messages and calls.

Police identified the accused as Suhail Malik (23) from Bijnor, Sane Iram alias Mehak (25) from Kaushambi, Raj Valmiki (19) from Auraiya, Shiva Valmiki (20) from Badaun, Ritik Gangwar (23) from Shahjahanpur and Praveen (19). Officials said Malik allegedly recruited others into the activity after coming into contact with the foreign number through a WhatsApp group.

During questioning and a scan of the suspects’ mobile phones, investigators found that several photographs and location details had been sent to the foreign number. Police said the accused allegedly acted on instructions received through the number and were paid commissions for each assignment.

Authorities said an FIR has been registered at Kaushambi police station under provisions related to acts endangering the sovereignty and integrity of India, criminal conspiracy and sections of the Official Secrets Act. Eight mobile phones have been recovered and further investigation is underway to determine the full extent of the network.