Two Arrested in Bihar’s Raxaul for Allegedly Helping Pakistani Operatives Activate Indian WhatsApp Accounts

Police in the border town of Raxaul, Bihar, have taken into custody two men accused of assisting operatives from Pakistan in activating Indian mobile phone numbers on the WhatsApp messaging platform. The arrests, carried out jointly by the Bihar Police, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Andhra Pradesh Police, follow a months‑long investigation that traced a series of one‑time passwords (OTPs) sent to newly registered Indian numbers. According to officials, the two suspects – identified as 28‑year‑old Rahul Kumar and 31‑year‑old Amit Singh – allegedly supplied the OTPs to a team of Pakistani nationals operating from across the border, enabling them to bypass the verification process required by WhatsApp.The case emerged against a backdrop of heightened concerns about digital infiltration and the use of popular messaging applications for espionage, propaganda and the coordination of illicit activities..

In recent years, Indian security agencies have warned that foreign actors, particularly those linked to Pakistan, have sought to exploit the anonymity and reach of platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal to disseminate disinformation, recruit sympathisers and orchestrate disruptive actions. The arrests in Raxaul are the latest in a series of crackdowns that also saw the seizure of several smartphones and SIM cards believed to be part of a broader network.Investigators say the suspects were approached by a small group of individuals who claimed to be “business consultants” looking to expand a marketing venture in the region. Over a period of six weeks, the suspects reportedly received multiple requests to forward OTPs received on Indian numbers to a foreign contact, ostensibly for verification purposes..

The police allege that the foreign contact was, in fact, a Pakistani operative using a spoofed number to receive the OTPs, which then allowed the operative to register and activate WhatsApp accounts tied to Indian mobile numbers. Once active, the accounts could be used to join encrypted groups, circulate tailored messages and coordinate activities without the need for a physical presence in India.During the operation, law enforcement officials intercepted electronic communications that linked the two suspects to a cluster of phone numbers registered in the Raxaul district. Forensic analysis of the devices seized from Rahul Kumar and Amit Singh revealed chat logs, screenshots of OTP messages and a series of encrypted files that investigators described as “potentially malicious.” The CBI’s cyber‑crime division noted that the seized material included instructions on how to bypass two‑factor authentication mechanisms and detailed guidelines for maintaining anonymity while operating on WhatsApp.The Andhra Pradesh Police, which joined the investigation after identifying a similar pattern of OTP‑sharing activity in the state’s coastal districts, provided additional technical expertise..

Their involvement underscores the inter‑state coordination that Indian agencies have been pursuing to counter cross‑border cyber threats. “This is a clear example of how foreign adversaries attempt to infiltrate our digital ecosystem by exploiting local actors,” said a senior officer from the Andhra cyber‑crime cell. “By collaborating across jurisdictions, we can dismantle these networks before they gain a foothold.”Legal experts say the charges likely to be filed against the two men will include violations of the Information Technology Act, provisions of the Indian Penal Code relating to criminal conspiracy, and sections of the Foreign Exchange Management Act if any monetary transactions are found to have taken place..

The prosecution may also invoke the Official s Act if evidence emerges that the WhatsApp accounts were used to transmit classified or sensitive information. Both suspects have been remanded in judicial custody, and their statements to the police have not been made public.The arrests have prompted reactions from diplomatic circles. A spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a brief statement, describing the allegations as “unfounded” and urging “both sides to refrain from politicising legitimate investigative processes.” Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of Home Affairs reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the nation’s digital infrastructure, emphasizing that “any attempt to undermine national security through cyber means will be met with decisive action.”Civil liberty groups have called for transparency in the handling of the case, warning against the potential misuse of surveillance powers..

A representative of the Internet Freedom Foundation noted that while counter‑espionage efforts are essential, “the authorities must ensure that due process is followed, that evidence is presented in court and that the rights of the accused are protected.” The organization urged the judiciary to scrutinise the evidence, particularly the forensic data, to prevent any erosion of privacy standards.Analysts point out that the Raxaul incident may be indicative of a broader trend wherein foreign intelligence services seek low‑cost, low‑tech methods to infiltrate Indian digital spaces. By leveraging everyday tools like WhatsApp, which enjoys a user base of over 400 million in India, operatives can embed themselves within social networks, influencing public opinion or gathering intelligence without drawing immediate attention. “The challenge for Indian security agencies is to balance vigilance with the preservation of an open digital environment,” said a senior cyber‑security consultant at a New Delhi think‑tank.The case is expected to proceed to trial in the coming months, with the police indicating that further arrests may be forthcoming as the investigation expands..

Authorities have pledged to continue monitoring OTP‑related activities and to work closely with telecom operators to strengthen verification protocols. As the legal process unfolds, the Raxaul arrests serve as a reminder of the evolving nature of cross‑border threats in an increasingly connected world, and of the delicate task faced by law enforcement in protecting national security while upholding the principles of a democratic society..