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The arrest of two armymen on the charge of spying for Pakistan has set off an alarm in the government with Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee saying on Monday that the Inter-Services Intelligence is trying to infiltrate and subvert the armed forces.
It was a matter of "extreme concern" and a thorough investigation is necessary to find out other "kingpins" involved in the espionage racket, Mukherjee told reporters in New Delhi in his first response after the Delhi police arrested Havildar Ritesh Kumar and Signalman Anil Kumar Dubey during the weekend.
"It appears that they (espionage racket) are operating from Delhi and from Kathmandu. So, the other kingpins who are involved in it have to be found out and a detailed investigation is necessary," he said.
Dubey, posted with the army group insurance directorate, was arrested in south-west Delhi while he was allegedly handing over some documents, pen drives and CDs to Mohammed Farooq, a driver at the Pakistan High Commission.
Kumar was arrested at Palam airport with a pen drive and three photo rolls, which he was to handover to an ISI agent in Kathmandu, police alleged.
"I am sure it is a matter of concern that ISI is trying to infiltrate and subvert our armed forces," Mukherjee said.
"We are aware of the fact that ISI is active and sometimes we catch the moles which they have established in different organisations but if it is in the army, naturally we shall have to ensure that this type of thing does not happen. Wherever there is leakage or laxity, that should be blocked," he said.