2 Pak embassy officials in Lanka figure in FIR against ISI agent

In a significant move, names of two ‘officials’ working in the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo have been included in an FIR filed against suspected ISI agent Mohammed Zahir Hussain, highly placed police sources said here on Thursday.

According to the sources, 37-year-old Hussain allegedly told the investigators of the Q Branch Police that he was sent by the Pakistani duo to India on a recce to target national assets and launch attacks in parts of south India.

Hussain was recently arrested on various charges including circulating counterfeit currency.

The names of the officials identified as Siddiq and Sha were included following the confession by Hussain, arrested on 29 April from an undisclosed location, they said.

Asked whether the officials had been charged for any ‘specific offences,’ a senior police official, declining to be quoted, said that “the offence is waging war against India. It is true that their names are there on the FIR. There is absolutely no doubt that the two officials had a role.” 

After three-day police custody, Hussain was on Thursday remanded to judicial custody and sent to Puzhal Central Prison here.

Investigations have revealed that Hussain was part of a larger ISI mission to target critical national 

assets and some foreign consulates.

Hussain was also convicted of offences related to human trafficking and imprisoned in Singapore, Thailand and in Sri Lanka. ISI handlers in Colombo decided to “use his services,” based on his “solid field work” in human trafficking, sources said.

He had also confessed to having gathered important details related to vital installations including topography of American and Israeli consulates in Chennai and Bangalore respectively besides naval establishments in Visakhapatnam and Kochi.

The sources said he had admitted to having assisted in procuring fake passports for two persons, also suspected to be ISI agents, to visit India.