‘ISI has copied features of new Rs 2,000 note’

New Delhi: The Intelligence Bureau and National Investigation Agency cautioned the Centre that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has successfully managed to copy at least 8 to 10 security features of the Rs 2,000 new currency note that were introduced in November last year in wake of the government’s demonetisation drive.

One of the objectives of the demonetisation was to crack down on fake currency in the economy, most of which was in Rs 500 denomination.

In a recent classified note to the Centre, details of which have been accessed by this newspaper, the agencies have stated that “the ISI and its operatives, however, have still not been able to get hold of fine quality of paper used for printing the new currency notes. The government must ensure and take immediate preventive measures to ensure that the ISI or its operatives are not able to get the paper from those who also supply to the Indian printing press or mint.’’

The NIA, in a joint operation with the BSF earlier this week, had seized high-quality Rs 2,000 notes from Malda area near the border that were being smuggled in from Bangladesh. 

Sources said the notes were of “very high quality” while the miscreants had even managed to incorporate “a number of safety features, although the quality of the paper was not very good.’’

It was in this backdrop, sources said, that the agencies cautioned the government to ensure that proper safety measures are in place so that ISI operatives are not able to source the same quality of paper used  in India. 

Top intelligence sources claimed in the past as well, ISI and members of the Dawood Ibrahim gang have made attempts to procure ink, paper and machinery from the same source that was, at some point, also supplying the materials to the Indian printing press.

“Now with there being a case where subversive elements have managed to copy the safety features in Rs 2,000 notes and would be trying for the new Rs 500 note, we just want all government agencies to make their security arrangements absolutely foolproof to ensure that ISI or its associates don’t succeed this time around,’’ a senior intelligence official said.

Both IB and NIA in their note have also stated that ISI already has set up a “state-of-the-art printing facility’’ on the outskirts of Karachi where members of the D-company have also been roped in. We suspect the facility would surely be used for printing the fake new Indian currency and the Dawood gang has also been roped in,’’ the official said.