New details continue to emerge from the Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) investigation into Tufail, an alleged ISI agent detained in Varanasi. Reports suggest that Tufail played a significant role in expanding a terrorist network spanning four Islamic nations.
The ATS has made substantial progress analyzing the data retrieved from Tufail’s mobile device, reportedly recovering around 70% of the information stored. This has shed light on his extensive links to terror outfits and raised concerns over his social media interactions.
Further scrutiny of Tufail’s online presence revealed his communications extended beyond Pakistan to include contacts in four other Islamic countries, maintaining regular interaction with operatives there. A critical aspect of the probe uncovered that Tufail was manipulated via a honey trap by Nafisa, who is identified as the spouse of a Pakistani military personnel.
Tufail reportedly used video calls to give Nafisa virtual tours of various locations across Varanasi. Additionally, he sent clothing items to Pakistan, choosing secretive transit routes through Nepal and Punjab to avoid detection. Police investigations have also unearthed the names of several associates linked to Tufail, who are now slated for interrogation by ATS.
Foreign Contacts Cut Ties Once Tufail Was Exposed
Tufail was apprehended by the Uttar Pradesh ATS on Thursday, 22 May 2025, on allegations of espionage in favor of Pakistan. Following his arrest, contacts abroad abruptly severed communication with him, as revealed from data extracted from his phone.
His mobile records indicate that Tufail shared videos of Tehreek-e-Labbaik leader Maulana Shah Rizvi within WhatsApp groups, including inflammatory content promoting concepts like ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’—the idea of Islamic conquest of India—calls for revenge over the Babri Masjid demolition, and advocacy for Sharia law implementation in the country.
Post-arrest, Tufail was removed from 7 of 19 WhatsApp groups he belonged to, and the chat histories from those groups were deleted. Nevertheless, ATS successfully recovered some of these deleted conversations.
Additionally, ATS discovered that Tufail circulated invitations to join Pakistan-based WhatsApp groups among local Muslims in Varanasi, attempting to garner support. He also transmitted photographs and details about key local landmarks including Rajghat, Gyanvapi, the local railway station, Jama Masjid, Red Fort, and Nizamuddin Auliya to contacts in Pakistan.
Tufail’s initial contact with Nafisa was established through Facebook. Nafisa, knowing he was from Varanasi, provided her number and facilitated his entry into several Pakistani online groups. This connection led him to expand his network, reportedly communicating with over 600 Pakistani phone numbers.