NCCIA arrests child porn ring leader

Man used own kids to create obscene videos

ISLAMABAD:

In its ongoing campaign against cybercrimes, the National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has arrested the leader of a child pornography ring from Islamabad. The agency has also arrested a man from Karachi allegedly involved in blackmailing a minor girl.

Addressing a press conference on Sunday, NCCIA Islamabad Additional Director Shoaib Khan said the agency apprehended the head of an international child pornography network—the Skardu Gang—from the federal capital.

The man, he said, allegedly forced his own four- to five-year-old children to create pornographic videos as well as videos featuring bestiality. "The criminal shared those videos through secret groups on Telegram App and sold them in the international market in cryptocurrency," he said.

The additional director said an inquiry was launched based on a source report and assistance from international agencies after reports emerged that obscene videos of minor children were being sold through secret Telegram groups.

Acting on credible information, he said, a raiding team arrested the gang leader of the Skardu Group and recovered digital evidence.

He said during the initial examination it was found that mobile phones and laptops contained obscene videos of children, videos depicting bestiality, and evidence of cryptocurrency transactions. Investigators also uncovered important links and evidence from Islamabad, Multan and southern Punjab.

"For the first time in Pakistan's history, a father has been found involved in this heinous crime against his own innocent children. He was allegedly making obscene videos of his four- to five-year-old children himself and selling them.

"The recovered devices have been sealed for further forensic analysis. Raids are under way to arrest other facilitators of the network," he added.

In a separate operation, the NCCIA traced and arrested the main suspect in a distressing case involving a young girl from Karachi who attempted suicide after being repeatedly harassed. The girl is currently receiving treatment at a hospital.

The inquiry revealed that the suspect had been continuously harassing and blackmailing the victim for the past two to three years. The NCCIA traced and arrested him within just 13 hours.

"The NCCIA has registered cases against the suspects under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), and further investigations are under way," he said.

Shoaib Khan said those involved in such heinous crimes would be brought to justice. He said providing justice to affected families was the agency's top priority.

This week, the NCCIA arrested 42 people in a case involving child sexual exploitation and pornography in Karachi. Addressing a press conference on Saturday, NCCIA Karachi Deputy Director Shahzad Akbar said the agency conducted an operation against a network involved in pornography.

He said an NCCIA team conducted a raid on Friday night in a case involving the alleged sexual exploitation of underage children.

(WITH INPUT FROM NEWS DESK)