Delhi Man Arrested for Espionage Allegedly Visited Pakistan Weeks Before Pahalgam Terror Attack

Pahalgam Terror Attack: Delhi resident Mohammad Harun travelled to Pakistan 17 days prior to the Pahalgam terror attack, his family claims. He was previously detained by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on suspicion of spying and keeping ties with Pakistani operatives.

“Two people came to Harun's house in civilian uniform, but he wasn't home. They met me and said they were from the passport office. They told me that those who had returned from Pakistan were being called for questioning and would be sent back afterwards,” his brother said.

Sahid further said Harun had visited Pakistan on April 5, and he returned on the 25th of the same month, as he is “married” there.

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My husband is innocent,’ says wife.

“My husband is innocent,” said Harun’s wife, Shabana, claiming that he used to visit his wife in Pakistan and handle visa matters, which were always cleared after proper checks. She alleged that the authorities did not let his family meet before his arrest.

The accused’s mother, Rukaiya Begum, suggested her son was misled by a contact named Mujammil during visa-related work. “He used to go to Pakistan once a year because of his second marriage. If he was under watch for three months, why wasn’t he stopped at the border?” she asked.

“I have been living here since I was 12. Harun never said anything suspicious,” news agency ANI quoted Begum, as saying.

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The timing of his visit, just before the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that claimed 26 civilian lives, has raised further questions.

Speaking to reporters, Harun’s brother Sahid said some people in plain clothes visited Harun’s house and inquired about him, saying that were looking for people who had returned from Pakistan in the recent past.

Sahid also said that Harun had visited Pakistan on April 5 last and had returned on April 25.

“Two people came to Harun’s house in civilian uniform, but he wasn’t home. They met me and said that they were from the passport office, and those who came from Pakistan are being called back, made to sign, and then sent back after questioning," Sahid said.

“Then Harun went with them, and when he didn’t return, we called him, his phone rang several times, and then it was switched off. When we went to the police station, they said they didn’t know anything and sent him to Noida. Then he was presented at the Lucknow in court. By the time we arrived, it was too late, and we couldn’t meet him," he was quoted by news agency ANI as saying.

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