In 1999, Maheshwari moved to Tarapur in the Indian state of Gujarat with his wife for 'infertility treatment' and established himself as a successful entrepreneur.
India's anti-terrorism squad has arrested a Pakistani-origin citizen who had been living there as an Indian citizen for 17 years on charges of espionage.
According to Indian media, 53-year-old Labhshankar Duryodhan Maheshwari has been arrested for allegedly helping Pakistani agents access Indian SIM cards that he used to hack into the phones of children of Indian defense personnel at army schools. used to.
Although India and Pakistan have a long history of spying on each other, Maheshwari's case stands out given the complicated geopolitical relationship between the two countries because he has lived in India for 17 years. He got Indian citizenship in 2006.
According to the newspaper Indian Express, Maheshwari came to Tarapur in the Indian state of Gujarat in 1999 with his wife for 'infertility treatment' and established himself as a successful businessman.
Defense sources told the paper: 'He (Maheshwari) applied for a long-term visa and became a successful businessman with the help of his in-laws. He ran a grocery store. They rented several stores and a house in Tarapur.'
According to the newspaper report, in 2022, he went to visit his parents in Pakistan. The Anti-Terrorism Squad believes that Pakistani agents made them 'spies' while processing Pakistani visa applications.
The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has alleged that after returning to India, Maheshwari helped deliver a SIM card registered in the name of Jamnagar resident Muhammad Saqlain Umar Thahim to his contact at the Pakistani embassy.
His arrest came on the basis of specific intelligence from the Military Intelligence (MI) that Pakistani agents were using Indian SIM cards to target defense personnel.
ATS Superintendent of Police Om Prakash Jat told The Indian Express that an unidentified person connected to Ramwani (Maheshwari's cousin) told Maheshwari that her sister would get a visa but she (the woman) would get a SIM card. will also receive in which they will have to activate WhatsApp and send the OTP (One Time Password) to them.'
"The man told Maheshwari that she (the sister) would have to bring back the Kusam card after the visa process was over and her sister left for Pakistan."
Maheshwari has been booked under the provisions of the Espionage and Information Technology Act. He has been remanded for seven days, ATS said.
Amid Israel-Hamas war, India sent help to Gaza via Egypt
Palestine is facing a big crisis these days due to Israel's retaliatory action on Hamas. India has sent humanitarian aid to Palestine.
Amidst the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, India has sent humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. Due to Israel's retaliatory action on Hamas, the people of Gaza are facing a big crisis these days. India has extended a helping hand. Humanitarian aid has been sent in an increasing manner. This information has been given by the Ministry of External Affairs. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted that India is sending help for the people of Gaza.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, "IAF C-17 aircraft carrying about 6.5 tons of medical help and 32 tons of disaster relief material for the people of Palestine has left for Egypt's El-Arish airport."
The aid sent to Gaza includes essential life-saving medicines, surgical supplies, tents, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, sanitation facilities, water purification tablets and other essential items.