CCTV surveillance plot for military intel foiled, nine more detained in ISI-linked espionage case; total suspects rise to 15

Nine more people, including five minors, have been taken into custody for allegedly filming and sharing sensitive information about locations in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai with handlers based in Pakistan, taking the total number of suspects in the purported espionage case to 15, as per police reports.

According to the Ghaziabad Police, the latest detentions follow the arrest of six individuals on March 14, whose interrogation into the covert installation of CCTV cameras at strategic locations to capture and transmit sensitive information related to military movements, including troop deployment, routes and weapon systems, led investigators to the additional suspects. 

Among those detained are Ganesh Giri (20), a Nepal national, Vivek Rai (18) from Bihar, Gagan Kumar Prajapati (22) from Meerut, and Durgesh Nishad (26) from Jaunpur. The five minors, aged between 15 and 17, are from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

The six individuals arrested earlier include Sohail Malik (23), Sane Iram (25), Raj Valmiki (19), Shiva Valmiki (20), and Ritik Gangwar (23), among others.

Police identified Sohail Malik, a resident of Meerut, as the alleged mastermind. He was reportedly paid ₹10,000 for each video clip shared. A woman, Mahek, was also arrested for allegedly recruiting young members into the network. Both were said to be responsible for distributing payments to operatives.

Police said the group had installed at least two solar-powered, SIM-enabled CCTV cameras at strategic locations. One such device was removed from Sonipat Railway Station on Wednesday, while another was earlier recovered from Delhi Cantonment Railway Station.

Investigators said the case came to light after a tip-off from beat constable Vinesh Chaudhary, who noticed suspicious activity during routine patrolling in the Bhowapur area. Subsequent inquiries revealed that photos and videos were being sent via WhatsApp to a Pakistani mobile number in exchange for payments made through UPI.

Additional Commissioner of Police Raj Karan Nayyar said two alleged key organisers of the network, Naushad Ali and Sameer, both from Bihar, are currently absconding.

Police said efforts are underway to trace the remaining suspects and uncover the full extent of the alleged espionage network.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the case further.