Post Op Sindoor: As Pak works channels to create ‘spy network', Punjab Police leads dismantling efforts

Indian Express

2 days ago

A series of arrests — from Punjab and Haryana to Rajasthan and Uttarakhand — in two months following Operation Sindoor has once again put in focus the efforts being made by the Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI to gather information critical to India's national security by establishing new espionage networks while targeting serving military personnel and civilians working in defence establishments.
A senior Punjab Police officer who has been dealing with countering ISI's agenda told The Indian Express that an increased tempo of ISI activity in Punjab has been noticed during and after Operation Sindoor. The Punjab Police has in the recent past has busted several modules and arrested several persons who it believes were involved in espionage at Pakistan's behest.
'The ISI has established extensive espionage network in India by exploiting financial hardships, ideological leanings, personal vulnerabilities, and impersonating as Indian entities. Honey-trapping remains a key tactic, with operatives leveraging personal or intimate relationships to coerce targets into sharing sensitive intelligence,' said a senior intelligence officer of Punjab Police.
The officer added that 'recruits' are tasked with gathering critical information on troop movements, strategic sites, and border deployments, with payments routed through hawala channels and encrypted apps to maintain secrecy.
'Punjab Police, working in coordination with central agencies, have proactively dismantled these deeply entrenched networks over the years, exposing the ISI's systematic efforts to destabilize India's security and reaffirming an unwavering commitment to national integrity,' said DGP Gaurav Yadav.
He added that in view of the recent developments, Punjab Police intensified its efforts to identify and bust Pakistani espionage networks spread across India. In this regard, he added, several suspects from different states came to notice for being connected with Pakistan Intelligence Officers (PIOs) through encrypted communication platforms. Some of the PIOs have been found to be working in close association with terrorist groups in Pakistan.
Subsequently, details of these individuals were shared with police in respective states and central agencies, leading to dismantling of a wide espionage network.
In May and June, Punjab Police identified such espionage networks operating in state that led to arrest of several individuals in seven different cases.
Among the individuals who have been arrested across various states in connection with Pakistan's ISI-backed espionage and propaganda activities are Jyoti Malhotra, alias Jyoti Rani, a YouTuber from Hisar in Haryana, Nauman Ilahi, a resident of Kairana in Uttar Pradesh; Devinder Singh from Kaithal, Haryana, Maulvi Qasim and his brother Asim from Rajasthan, Abhishek Bhardwaj from Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, Suraj Masih and Phalaksher Masih from Ajnala; Rakib from Uttarakhand, Sukhpreet Singh and Karanbir Singh from Gurdaspur, Harpreet Singh, alias Pittu, alias Happy from Amritsar Jail; Gazala and Yameen Mohd from Malerkotla; Gagandeep Singh alias Gagan from Tarn Taran and Jasbir Singh, a YouTuber from Ropar in Punjab.
Apart from these, two Army jawans have also been arrested for passing on information to Pakistan. Devinder Singh was arrested on July 14 from a Rashtriya Rifles battalion in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district for allegedly leaking classified defense information to the ISI.
He was arrested following the interrogation of Gurpreet Singh, alias Gopy Foji, a jawan serving in the Sikh Regiment who was arrested on June 21 from Amritsar for allegedly sharing sensitive military information with ISI operatives.
'These individuals were found to be involved in various activities such as sharing sensitive information, establishing contacts with PIOs, receiving payments for intelligence sharing, and assisting in anti-national logistics and communication,' a Punjab Police officer said.
Another officer said that investigations initiated over these months have uncovered attempts by ISI to target Indian nationals — particularly social media influencers and content creators — under the false pretense of cultural diplomacy and digital peace initiatives. Individuals were lured through well-orchestrated outreach, aiming to manipulate online narratives and mislead public opinion in favor of anti-national agendas.
Punjab Police investigations have also revealed that this network sought to exploit the popularity and credibility of Indian digital voices to push pro-Pakistan narratives and subtly influence public sentiment within India. These efforts are part of a broader psychological campaign aimed at undermining national unity and eroding institutional trust.
'The Punjab Police, through its vigilant monitoring and robust intelligence-sharing mechanisms, has contributed significantly to the identification and disruption of these networks,' says the officer handling investigations into ISI activities.
Arrests made across different parts of the country have directly stemmed from intelligence inputs and coordinated action, reflecting the effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation, said an officer.