Mohammad Yousaf, also known as Yaha Khan, an Afghan national, was arrested at Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar, for entering India on a forged Indian passport and living under a false identity in Cuttack since 2018.
The arrest followed suspicion raised by the immigration department regarding documents Yousaf presented while traveling. The passport he carried was issued in the name “Yaha Khan, S/o Moti Khan, Cuttack,” but system checks revealed a Look-Out Circular from Kolkata Airport and confirmed his true identity as Mohammad Yousaf, holding an original Afghan passport.
Investigations revealed Yousaf illegally entered India in 2018 and settled in the Petinmati area under Puri Ghat police limits, Cuttack. Using forged documents, he acquired multiple Indian identity proofs, including Aadhaar, PAN card, voter ID, driving license, and even a gas connection, enabling him to live and conduct business under a fake identity.
Joint operations by the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissionerate and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) led to the seizure of forged documents, cash, foreign currency, gold earrings, mobile phones, and other valuables. Yousaf confessed to fabricating and using these documents for illegal activities.
Authorities suspect Yousaf’s forged passport may have allowed multiple international travels. The NIA is investigating possible collusion involving local agents or officials in this forgery racket.
In a related development, three other Afghan nationals in Cuttack — Alam Khan, Sher Khan, and Amir Khan — are under police scrutiny for possessing forged Indian documents and illegal residence.
Meanwhile, Assam Police arrested four Afghan nationals in Guwahati’s Hatigaon area for residing in India without valid documents. The arrested persons have been living in Assam since 2015 without authorization.
Investigations continue as central intelligence and passport authorities coordinate to crack down on this illegal identity and residence network.
