NIA Arrests Kolkata Man for Alleged Espionage Links with Pakistan Intelligence

The National Investigation Agency on Wednesday arrested a Kolkata-based man for allegedly passing sensitive security-related information to Pakistani intelligence operatives as part of an anti-India espionage and terror conspiracy.

The accused, identified as Zafar Riaz alias Rizvi , was taken into custody after investigators tracked his alleged links with Pakistan Intelligence Officers (PIOs). According to the agency, a Look Out Circular (LOC) had already been issued against him, while legal proceedings were underway to declare him a Proclaimed Offender (PO) .

In a statement, the NIA said Riaz had been travelling frequently between India and Pakistan since 2005. During one such visit, he allegedly came into contact with Pakistani intelligence operatives, who later recruited him for espionage activities in India by offering financial inducements and the promise of Pakistani citizenship.

Investigators said the accused was married to a Pakistani national and that his children were Pakistani citizens.

The agency further alleged that Riaz played a key role in facilitating covert communication networks for espionage operatives. He allegedly shared One-Time Passwords (OTPs) linked to Indian telecom numbers with a Pakistani intelligence operative to help activate WhatsApp accounts used for secret communications.

According to the NIA, these accounts were later used by another accused, Motiram Jat , who allegedly transmitted confidential security-related information to the Pakistani operative.

Officials said Riaz had earlier been convicted in an espionage-related case, raising concerns over his continued cross-border activities and alleged involvement in a wider intelligence network.

The NIA said investigations are continuing to identify other individuals linked to the espionage racket and uncover the broader conspiracy behind the operation.