ISI agent held in Lucknow

A suspected Inter-Services-Intelligence agent, hailing from Pakistan, was arrested and sensitive documents related to Army seized from his possession near Charbagh railway station in Lucknow, police said on Wednesday.

Abdul Jabbar alias Sikandar, a resident of Pakistani port city of Karachi, was arrested on Tuesday night by the Uttar Pradesh Anti Terrorist Squad, Additional Director, General (Law and Order) Brijlal told media-persons in Lucknow. "Maps of restricted cantonment areas in Lucknow and secret information regarding Central command were recovered from Sikandar," he said.

Sikandar was trained by Pakastani Military Intelligence to spying on defence establishments in India and pass on information to Pakistan through the internet and telephone, Brijlal alleged. Brijlal said the arrested spy was involved in drugs trade in Karachi and was contacted by MI in 2007 to work for them and he was subsequently given nine months training in Pakistan.

"The Pakistani MI official used to bear expenses of Sikandar's family. He was sent to India through Nepal, where he landed on November 15 last month through air route," Brijlal said, adding that he was given fake Indian currency notes and provided help by MI officials.

Sikandar had visited India three-four times before as also several Asian countries, he said, adding the ATS had applied for remand of the agent to elicit more information from him about his other aides. Brijlal said that besides the ATS, other intelligence agencies would also interrogate Sikandar.

Asked about his links with those involved in the recent terror attack in Mumbai, Brijlal said that no such clue was found in the investigations so far.

"Sikandar was in India on a long term plan and he wanted to stay here to collect vital information by getting fake documents prepared in his name," Brijlal said.

A photo copy of his passport, carrying a Gujarat address, was recovered from his possession, he said, adding that on verification the address was found to be fake.

Besides this, a mobile, fake Indian currency notes in the face value of Rs nine lakh, maps of Lucknow Cantt area and some information about Central command and Rs 1500 in cash were also recovered from him, he added.

After coming to Lucknow on December 11-12, Sikandar was trying to make a base here, he said but did not elaborate saying investigation was on.The arrested person was also involved in making fake passports in Pakistan, he said.