AGRA, July 26 -- Agra police investigating an alleged religious conversion racket on Saturday said that several rescued girls were found to be in contact with individuals in Pakistan who discussed Islamic beliefs and allegedly aimed to convert them. Some of the girls were reportedly influenced by Kashmiri women who criticised Hinduism and promoted Islam as part of the larger network's efforts.

"We have interrogated 14 arrested individuals and spoken to the rescued girls. It was found that they were in contact with people in Pakistan, who spoke to them about Islam, and with some girls in Kashmir who reportedly influenced them to adopt the religion," Agra police commissioner Deepak Kumar said.

According to officials, Pakistani individuals...