In a development that has raised serious national security concerns, the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has apprehended seven individuals in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district for allegedly attempting to smuggle banned communication devices from Nepal into India. The arrested persons were found in possession of five frequency-hopping enabled electronic walkie-talkies near India-Nepal border, a highly regulated technology prohibited in India without government authorization.
7 Held With Banned Walkie-Talkies Near India-Nepal Border
The arrest took place at the Rupaidiha border, a key transit point along the Indo-Nepal border, on the evening of June 27. The suspects were intercepted while traveling in a sports utility vehicle (SUV) returning from Nepal. The operation was carried out by the 42nd Battalion of the SSB, and the arrest has triggered a broader investigation involving multiple security and intelligence agencies.
According to SSB Commandant Ganga Singh Udawat, the use of frequency-hopping enabled communication devices is strictly banned in India. “These devices operate by changing frequencies rapidly during transmission, which makes it extremely difficult for surveillance systems to intercept or monitor the conversations. Such technology is typically used in high-security or military-grade communication,” he stated.
During a routine inspection at the Rupaidiha checkpoint, SSB personnel flagged the SUV for checking and discovered five walkie-talkie sets with frequency-hopping capabilities concealed in the vehicle. Upon further questioning, the occupants failed to produce any valid documentation or provide a credible explanation for possessing the devices or transporting them across international borders.
All seven individuals were taken into custody and later handed over to the local police at Rupaidiha Police Station. A formal case has been registered against them under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885; Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933; and the Telecommunication Act, 2023, based on a written complaint submitted by the SSB.
The arrested persons have been identified as Mohammad Muslim, Bilal Abdul Rehman Sheikh, and Munir Yusuf Sheikh, all residents of Pune in Maharashtra; Temeshwar Bhondve of Thane, Maharashtra; Achalesh Kumar of Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh; Shankar Pandey from Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh; and Changur Ahmed from Bahraich.
SSB officials revealed that the group had recently returned from a visit to Nepal, where they had spent the night at the residence of one Naseem Sheikh. Naseem is reportedly associated with an organization called the Islamic Sangh of Nepal, which is said to be under the scanner for its alleged links with Pakistani intelligence agencies. “This Nepal-based outfit receives financial and operational support from Pakistani agencies, and its connection to this group of men makes the incident highly suspicious,” Commandant Udawat said.
The investigation further revealed that Mohammad Muslim, believed to be one of the key figures in the group, had traveled to Bahraich from Pune on June 24 to attend his daughter’s wedding. The next day, on June 26, he crossed over to Nepal along with his six companions. All seven returned to India on June 27, when they were intercepted by the SSB during a routine security check.
Security agencies, including intelligence and anti-terrorism units, have now been roped in to examine the full scope of the incident. The authorities are probing the group’s purpose for visiting Nepal, their association with the Islamic Sangh of Nepal, and whether they had any intent to use or distribute the advanced communication devices within India.
During preliminary interrogation, none of the arrested individuals could satisfactorily explain why they were in possession of such high-grade communication equipment or what they intended to do with it in India. “Their lack of transparency and the nature of the equipment raises serious red flags,” said an investigating officer on condition of anonymity.
Commandant Udawat confirmed that the accused have been sent to judicial custody pending further investigation. “All seven individuals are currently lodged in jail. Investigations are underway to trace their contacts, financial transactions, and communication history to assess the potential scale of threat they may pose,” he said.
Security analysts have expressed concern over the use of such sophisticated communication tools by civilians, particularly when linked to organizations allegedly funded by hostile foreign entities. “Frequency-hopping devices are not casual walkie-talkies; they are military-grade technology. Their presence in the hands of civilians without clearance, and particularly in border regions, is a serious matter,” noted one defense expert.
The incident has once again highlighted vulnerabilities along India’s porous borders with Nepal, a country with which India shares an open border policy. While the arrangement facilitates trade and people-to-people contact, it also poses significant security challenges, especially in areas like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal, which are frequently monitored by anti-terror and anti-smuggling agencies.
Law enforcement agencies have also begun background checks on the suspects’ past activities, travel records, and any digital footprints that could reveal larger networks or connections to extremist organizations.
As of now, officials have not ruled out the possibility of this being part of a broader cross-border operation, potentially involving the illegal procurement and distribution of restricted communication equipment in India.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has been apprised of the incident, and a report is expected to be submitted after the completion of the preliminary investigation.
