Pune: ATS Cracks Down On Illegal Telephone Exchange In Kondhwa

As Ganeshotsav approaches, police and investigative agencies in Pune have intensified efforts to prevent any potential terrorist activities in the city. In a significant operation, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) recently raided an illegal ‘fake telephone exchange’ in the Kondhwa area of Pune. During this operation, one individual was detained, and the ATS seized 3,788 SIM cards along with SANT SIM boxes, Wi-Fi devices, antennas, and laptops essential for operating these SIM boxes.

The detained suspect, identified as Naushad Ahmed Siddiqui, a 22-year-old resident of Kondhwa, is currently being interrogated. Initial investigations have uncovered that this illegal telephone exchange was being used to route international calls into India. The exchange was operating from the ‘MA Complex’ area in Mithanagar, Kondhwa, causing quite a stir in the city. The ATS is thoroughly questioning Naushad to gather more information.

Authorities are delving into various aspects, such as how Naushad acquired the SIM cards, the distributors involved, the setup of the system that enabled international calls to bypass Indian security measures, his training sources, financial backers, and those who provided him a location in Kondhwa for these operations. ATS sources indicate that a comprehensive investigation is underway to uncover the background and connections of the detained individual.

With several festivals and celebrations lined up over the next four months, Pune is expected to see a significant influx of people, leading to crowded markets. Consequently, security measures have been heightened. Kondhwa has witnessed numerous anti-terror operations in the past, including the recent exposure of an ISIS module. Given this history, the ATS’s recent actions are viewed as particularly crucial in ensuring the city’s safety during the festive season.