LUCKNOW/GORAKHPUR, May 31 -- The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday conducted a massive search operation at 15 locations in eight states across the country, including two locations in Gorakhpur in a Pakistan-linked espionage case.

An NIA spokesperson confirmed that the searches were conducted on the premises of suspects linked with Pakistan Intelligence Operatives (PIOs) in the states of UP, Delhi, Maharashtra (Mumbai), Haryana, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Assam and West Bengal.

In a press note, the spokesman said that during the searches, NIA teams have seized several electronic gadgets and sensitive financial documents, along with other incriminating material. These are being examined for clues to the espionage racket being ...