In a significant counterintelligence operation, Indian authorities have arrested at least 13 individuals across Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh over the past two weeks for allegedly engaging in espionage activities linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The arrests, encompassing individuals from diverse backgrounds—including a YouTuber, students, laborers, and businessmen—highlight the extensive reach and varied recruitment strategies of the suspected spy network.
Key Arrests and Allegations
Jyoti Malhotra, a prominent travel vlogger with a substantial online following, was apprehended in Hisar, Haryana. Authorities allege she maintained contact with Pakistani intelligence operatives, sharing sensitive information through platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. Investigations suggest she was involved in a honey-trap scenario, having developed a personal relationship with a Pakistani agent.
Devinder Singh, a 25-year-old from Kaithal, Haryana, reportedly visited Pakistan under the guise of religious pilgrimage. During his stay, he was allegedly trained in espionage techniques and lured with promises of financial gain and companionship. Singh is accused of sharing confidential military information upon his return to India.
Mohammad Tareef, a resident of Kangarka village in Mewat, Haryana, was arrested for allegedly transmitting sensitive military and agency information to officials at the Pakistan High Commission. He is also accused of providing Indian SIM cards to Pakistani handlers in exchange for monetary benefits.
Additional arrests include individuals from various professions, such as students, traders, and daily-wage laborers, indicating the network’s penetration across different societal strata. Authorities have recovered digital devices, financial records, and communication logs as part of the ongoing investigation.
The crackdown follows heightened security concerns in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in significant casualties. The incident prompted intensified surveillance and intelligence operations across the northern states. Investigations have revealed that the espionage activities were facilitated through various means, including social media platforms, encrypted messaging apps, and financial inducements.
Authorities are now focusing on dismantling the broader network, identifying additional operatives, and assessing the extent of information compromised. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is expected to take over the probe to coordinate efforts across state lines and ensure a comprehensive investigation.
The current espionage case bears resemblance to previous incidents, such as the 2010 arrest of Indian diplomat Madhuri Gupta, who was convicted in 2018 for passing sensitive information to Pakistani intelligence after being honey-trapped. These recurring patterns underscore the persistent threat posed by foreign intelligence agencies employing diverse tactics to infiltrate and compromise national security.
As investigations continue, Indian security agencies remain vigilant, emphasizing the need for robust counterintelligence measures and public awareness to thwart such espionage attempts in the future.
India’s Most Notorious Pakistani Espionage Cases
In the shadowy world of espionage, India has long been a target of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), which has orchestrated multiple high-profile intelligence-gathering operations on Indian soil. These cases, ranging from honey-traps and fake pilgrimages to insider leaks, highlight the evolving strategies of Pakistani spy networks—and India’s continuing efforts to combat them.
Madhuri Gupta – The Diplomat Who Betrayed (2010)
A career Indian Foreign Service officer, Madhuri Gupta was posted at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad when she was arrested for passing sensitive information to Pakistan’s ISI. Gupta had allegedly fallen prey to a honey-trap by a Pakistani agent posing as a journalist.
She transmitted classified documents over unsecured networks and was convicted in 2018 under the Official Secrets Act, receiving a three-year sentence.
Ravi Nair – The Civilian Clerk Turned Spy (1997)
Ravi Nair, employed in the Military Engineering Services in Mumbai, was caught passing naval information to Pakistani handlers. Security officials noticed his frequent calls to suspicious international numbers, leading to his arrest.
Though a low-ranking civilian, his position granted him access to infrastructure plans, making his betrayal significant.
Rajeev Sharma – The Journalist Leaking State Secrets (2020)
In 2020, freelance journalist Rajeev Sharma was arrested in Delhi for allegedly sharing classified defense-related documents with Chinese intelligence. Investigations revealed the information was being routed through Pakistani agents, creating a dangerous Indo-China-Pak espionage triangle.
He was booked under the Official Secrets Act for compromising national security.
Hanif Patel – The Naval Base Recon Operative (2016)
Hanif Patel was arrested in Mumbai for collecting sensitive information about Indian Navy operations. He was allegedly part of a spy ring funded and operated by the ISI and linked to Pakistani national Javed Nawaz Khan. The ring’s target was western Indian naval bases, particularly near Mumbai, a strategic maritime hub.
Mohammad Aamer – The Insider in Uniform (2003)
Serving in the Indian Army’s Signals Unit, Mohammad Aamer was caught relaying information to Pakistan through intermediaries at its High Commission. He used diplomatic channels and covert drop-offs to avoid detection.
Aamer was court-martialed and sentenced, exposing vulnerabilities in internal military security protocols.
Abdul Razzak – Spy at the Border (2012)
Arrested near the Indo-Bangladesh border, Abdul Razzak was found with fake IDs, detailed military maps, and counterfeit Indian currency.
Upon interrogation, he admitted to being dispatched by ISI to surveil Indian army movements along eastern borders.
From military insiders to unwitting civilians, the ISI’s targets have been diverse and its methods increasingly sophisticated. These cases underscore the need for continued vigilance, counterintelligence reforms, and public awareness to safeguard India’s national security. While many espionage attempts have been thwarted, the threat remains persistent and deeply embedded in modern hybrid warfare tactics.