Islamabad: (Tassawar News) The political landscape in Islamabad was recently gripped by a major security revelation, as Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Atta Tarar, alongside Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, detailed an alleged scheme by India’s external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), to compromise a Pakistani national for espionage and subversion. This incident, outlined during a joint press conference, serves as a stark illustration of the persistent information and covert warfare believed to be waged across the border.
The Allegation of Covert Recruitment and Malicious Intent
Minister Atta Tarar commenced the press briefing by stating that the alleged plot was an attempt by RAW to lure a Pakistani fisherman with financial incentives for “malicious and anti-Pakistan activities.” He linked this covert operation to India’s broader strategic disappointment, claiming it was launched following the “failure of Operation Sandur.” This context frames the attempted recruitment as part of a frustrated, retaliatory campaign of misinformation and disinformation.
The central figure in this alleged plot is a Pakistani fisherman identified as Ejaz Mallah. According to the Minister’s account, Indian intelligence agencies initially detained Mallah before sending him back to Pakistan armed with specific instructions aimed at compromising the nation’s security.
Tarar elaborated on the critical moment of interception:
“When Ejaz Mallah attempted to purchase Pakistan Army, Navy, and Rangers uniforms, our surveillance teams monitored him closely. This level of oversight demonstrates that India cannot tolerate Pakistan’s recent strategic successes.”
The Minister asserted that the fisherman was subsequently apprehended and fully “confessed to the entire plot,” confirming the nature of the covert operation.
The Confession and Demands of the Alleged Handlers
To substantiate the allegations, the press conference included the playing of a recorded statement from the apprehended individual, Ejaz Mallah. His confession offered chilling details of the demands placed upon him by the Indian authorities following his detention.
In his recorded testimony, Mallah recounted the moment of his capture and the subsequent coercion:
“We were fishing when Indian authorities detained us. They told me to bring back Pakistan Army, Navy, and Rangers uniforms, Zong SIM cards, Pakistani cigarettes, and local currency. After that, they released me.”
The seemingly disparate list of demanded items—ranging from military uniforms and local currency to specific telecommunication items (Zong SIM cards) and consumer goods (Pakistani cigarettes)—suggests an attempt by the handlers to acquire sensitive materials for either staging false-flag operations or for deep-cover intelligence gathering within Pakistan. Mallah further admitted to complying with some of the instructions, confessing that he had “sent some photographs to Indian officials,” before being apprehended by Pakistani security agencies upon his return to the sea.
Evidence of Propaganda and Financial Bribery
Minister of State for Interior, Talal Chaudhry, further broadened the scope of the discussion, leveraging the incident to highlight what he termed “India’s ongoing propaganda operations” and information warfare against Pakistan.
Chaudhry revealed specific details concerning the attempted financial inducement and the timeline of the operation:
- Detention and Bribe: He stated that Ejaz Mallah was initially arrested by the Indian Coast Guard in September and was subsequently offered a substantial bribe of 95,000 rupees to carry out the assigned tasks.
- Evidence of Payment: The Minister confirmed that the Pakistani authorities possessed concrete proof of the attempted subversion, declaring, “We have evidence of the payment and related communications.”
- Connecting the Dots: Chaudhry linked this incident to other alleged Indian activities, noting that “Even in Pahalgam, the Indian side mentioned a Chinese satellite, and here they demanded Zong SIMs,” suggesting a pattern of intelligence operations involving high-tech and local assets. He also pledged that further “video and audio evidence will also be shared with the media” to provide conclusive proof of the conspiracy.
The Minister of State also highlighted the effectiveness of Pakistan’s response, commending the national media for having “successfully countered India’s information warfare.”
Conclusion: A Declaration of Vigilance
The joint press conference served as a powerful declaration by the Pakistani government regarding its awareness and preparedness to deal with cross-border intelligence attempts. The detailed disclosure of the RAW plot—the fisherman’s recruitment, the list of demands for military items, and the financial bribery—was clearly intended to both inform the public and send a deterrent message.
The ministers utilized the incident to reaffirm the nation’s security posture, culminating in Talal Chaudhry’s unequivocal concluding statement:
“We want to send a clear message to India — our security institutions remain alert and vigilant.”
This episode, therefore, transcends a simple arrest; it is presented by the government as tangible proof of external attempts at destabilization and an opportunity to showcase the vigilance and successful counter-intelligence capabilities of Pakistani security institutions against foreign espionage. The forthcoming release of audio and video evidence is expected to provide further clarity on the intricacies of this alleged covert operation.
