Siliguri, 27th November: A forest department employee, identified as Francis Ekka from Belagachi, was arrested by the Army Intelligence team of Sukna Trishakti Corps on charges of anti-national activity.
The arrest followed a joint operation conducted by the Army Intelligence, Panighata Outpost police of Darjeeling district, and the NDRF team, which took place in Panighata.
According to intelligence sources, Ekka had been involved in illegal activities for some time and was allegedly connected with foreign forces. He was reportedly selling DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organization) materials, including unidentified radioactive substances and fake DRDO documents.
The Army Intelligence team, posing as buyers, managed to locate Ekka in Panighata on Tuesday, where the operation was carried out and the accused was apprehended. He was subsequently handed over to the Panighata police.
On Wednesday, Ekka was presented in Mirik court and taken on remand for further investigation. Authorities are continuing to probe the case to determine if others are involved in the illegal activities, with the Army Intelligence team leading the investigation.