Three Naval patrol vessels have arrived at the Navy jetty in Rameswaram today in the backdrop of information that Pakistan’s ISI could infiltrate India from Sri Lanka through the sea.

Officials who confirmed the arrival of the three vessels, however, refused to give any further information.

The ships could be meant for strengthening presence of navy in the region and prevent infiltration of ISI agents by sea from Sri Lanka, sources said.

Only two days ago, a senior official of Tamil Nadu Coastal Security Group (CSG) said a new security system had been put in place off this coastal town to prevent infiltration by sea.

“CSG has been deployed in the area after police received information that ISI agents could infiltrate India from Sri lanka via Palk Straits. A new security system has been put in place to totally prevent infiltration,” Jyoti Basu, in charge of CSG (Rameswaram) had said on May 6.

State police had on April 29 arrested Sri Lankan national Mohammed Zahir Hussain, suspected ISI agent, who has confessed that he was sent to India on a recce to target national assets and launch attacks in parts of south India.

He had also told police that he had gathered important details related to vital installations including topography of American and Israeli consulates in Chennai and Bangalore respectively besides naval establishments in Visakhapatnam and Kochi.

Pak High Commission officials in Colombo figure in FIR

In a significant move, names of two “officials” working in the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo have been included in an FIR filed against suspected ISI agent Mohammed Zahir Hussain, highly placed police sources said here today.

According to the sources, 37-year-old Hussain allegedly told the investigators of the Q Branch Police that he was sent by the Pakistani duo to India on a recce to target national assets and launch attacks in parts of south India.

Hussain was recently arrested on various charges including circulating counterfeit currency.

The names of the officials identified as Siddiq and Sha were included following the confession by Hussain, arrested on April 29 from an undisclosed location, they said.

Asked whether the officials had been charged for any “specific offences,”, a senior police official, declining to be quoted, told PTI that “the offence is waging war against India. It is true that their names are there on the FIR. There is absolutely no doubt that the two officials had a role.”

After three-day police custody, Hussain was today remanded to judicial custody and sent to Puzhal Central Prison here.

Investigations have revealed that Hussain was part of a larger ISI mission to target critical national assets and some foreign consulates.

Hussain was also convicted of offences related to human trafficking and imprisoned in Singapore, Thailand and in Sri Lanka. ISI handlers in Colombo decided to “use his services,” based on his “solid field work” in human trafficking, sources said.

He had also confessed to having gathered important details related to vital installations including topography of American and Israeli consulates in Chennai and Bangalore respectively besides naval establishments in Visakhapatnam and Kochi.

The sources said he had admitted to having assisted in procuring fake passports for two persons, also suspected to be ISI agents, to visit India. - PTI