11 arrested across India for spying for Pakistan in a crackdown on civilian spy network

In counter-espionage operations Indian security agencies have arrested 11 individuals from multiple states for allegedly spying for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The arrests, made over the past week, span Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh and point to a disturbing pattern: the use of civilians in everyday professions to leak sensitive military information.

Arrests:

Sukhpreet Singh (Gurdaspur, Punjab) – Accused of leaking critical details about Operation Sindoor, including troop movements and strategic locations.

Karanbir Singh (Gurdaspur, Punjab) – Accomplice in the same case; forensic evidence from mobile devices confirmed the espionage activity.

Jyoti Malhotra (Hisar, Haryana) – A travel YouTuber with 3.85 lakh subscribers, allegedly being groomed as an ISI asset after repeated visits to Pakistan. She is currently on police remand.

Nauman Ilahi (Panipat, Haryana) – Factory guard accused of sharing sensitive information with Pakistani handlers; arrested with digital evidence on his device.

Arman (Nuh, Haryana) – Sent images and videos from Defence Expo 2025 to ISI contacts; data found on his phone.

Tarif (Nuh, Haryana) – Reportedly linked to ISI through Pakistani embassy contacts; traveled to Pakistan multiple times; received SIM cards from foreign handlers, as per reports.

Shahzad (Rampur, Uttar Pradesh) – Businessman arrested by the STF for using trade as a front to smuggle goods and pass on intelligence to Pakistan.

Gazala (Malerkotla, Punjab) – Admitted to leaking military data in exchange for money; received ₹30,000 from a Pakistani contact via UPI.

Yameen Mohammad (Malerkotla, Punjab) – Partnered with Gazala in collecting and passing sensitive information.

Raqib (Bathinda, Punjab) – Worked as a tailor at the Bathinda Army Cantonment; accused of leaking defence secrets to Pakistan.

Devender Dhillon (Kaithal, Haryana) – Provided strategic updates linked to Operation Sindoor and is under investigation.

According to police, most suspects were recruited through personal or online contact and offered money or incentives in return for classified information.

Security agencies have intensified their probe and are scanning call detail records, financial transactions, and passport histories of the suspects. Police have not ruled out further arrests, especially in Punjab and Haryana, where investigations continue.

Several of the accused reportedly maintained direct contact with ISI handlers, including some linked to the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi.