(a) whether any arrest was made in espionage cases during the recent military exercise in
Pokharan area of Rajasthan;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken against the persons arrested in this
regard; and
(c) the preventive measures taken by the Government to check such activities in future?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI R.P.N. SINGH)
(a) & (b): On 24th February, 2013, Rajasthan Police arrested Sumar Khan Cheena, resident
of Pokharan, District- Jaisalmer for his involvement in espionage related activities at
the behest of Pakistan Intelligence Agency ISI. Revelations of Sumar Khan also led to the
arrest of Surinder Sharma, resident of Delhi and an employee of Ministry of Home Affairs
for providing secrets/ sensitive information to Sumar Khan. Incidentally, during this
period, an Air Force exercise was also in progress in the area of Jaisalmer. First
Information Report No.01/2013 dated 25.02.2013 has been registered at Special Police
Station, Jaipur.
(C): The Government has been pursuing a well coordinated and multi- pronged approach to
tackle with the espionage activities by Indian and Foreign Nationals including of
Pakistanis, which include strengthening vigilance on the borders to check infiltration
and illegal cross border activities, gearing up the Intelligence machinery to interdict
Pakistani agents, close interaction and coordination between different agencies of the
Centre and the State Governments for neutralising plans of militants and ISI/
anti-national elements, modernisation and strengthening and upgradation of State Police
and Security Forces.