Guwahati, May 17: In a major counterintelligence success, Assam Police’s Special Task Force (STF) and Military Intelligence have busted a Pakistan-linked fake SIM card racket operating across Assam, Rajasthan, and Telangana. A total of seven suspects have been arrested and 948 SIM cards along with several technical devices recovered during the joint crackdown, codenamed Operation GHOST SIM.
The operation was launched after Gajraj Military Intelligence provided actionable inputs about a criminal network using fake SIM cards for cyber crimes and anti-national activities, including espionage for handlers based in Pakistan. The Special Branch and STF of Assam Police developed the intelligence and coordinated a multi-state response.
On May 14, a case was registered at the STF Police Station in Assam (STF PS Case No. 2/2025) under Sections 61(2)/147/148/62 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Section 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and Section 66 of the IT Act.
After strategic planning with military intelligence, simultaneous raids were conducted on May 16 in Dhubri and Morigaon districts of Assam, one district in Telangana, and two districts in Rajasthan. Teams were also dispatched to New Delhi to intercept a suspect in transit.
Arrested Individuals: Saddik (47) – Bela, PS Sikri, Bharatpur, Rajasthan; Arif Khan (20) – Sahodi Ka Bar, Sahori, Alwar, Rajasthan; Sajid (21) – Sahodi Ka Bar, Sahori, PS Akbarpur, Alwar, Rajasthan; Akeek (25) – Rojki, Bharatpur, Rajasthan; Arsad Khan (34) – Pendka, PS Nagar, Bharatpur, Rajasthan (caught at New Delhi airport); Mofijul Islam (19) – Kathaldi Pt-II, PS Bilasipara, Dhubri, Assam and Jakariya Ahmad (24) – Sagunmari Pt-IV, PS Bilasipara, Dhubri, Assam.
In addition to the arrests, 14 more individuals have been detained from Dhubri district for interrogation. Authorities confirmed that further legal action will be taken based on the outcome of questioning.
The investigation is ongoing, with law enforcement agencies expecting more arrests and data seizures as the network’s operations and foreign links are unravelled.
