Itanagar, Dec 23: Itanagar Police have arrested two individuals from Jammu and Kashmir for alleged espionage activities in Arunachal Pradesh, Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Chukhu Apa said on Tuesday.

Aijaz Ahmed Bhat and Bashir Ahmad Ganai were apprehended from Kupwara district on December 18 and brought to Arunachal Pradesh, where they remain in custody. Police suspect the men collected sensitive information from various parts of the state and shared it with handlers in Pakistan.

The case emerged on November 21 following intelligence inputs. On that day, officers arrested Nazir Ahmad Malik from Ganga village, Itanagar, and Sabir Ahmed Mir from Abotani colony. West Siang police later detained Hilal Ahmed, a cloth seller from Kupwara, at a shop in Aalo, while Changlang police held Gulam Md Mir from Miao, who was released after no evidence was found.

Most suspects reportedly posed as blanket sellers traveling across the state, Apa said. “We acted on credible tips about a spy ring, led by Itanagar SP Jummar Basar. Two arrests came from Kupwara, three from the capital region,” he added.

Interrogations are ongoing, with forensic reports pending. Apa warned that further arrests could follow if new evidence emerges and appealed to the public to verify outsiders before allowing them to stay on their property.