The Delhi Police’s particular cell on Friday mentioned it busted a Pakistani intelligence operatives-led espionage module, primarily based in Pakistan and backed by the nation’s Inter-Providers Intelligence (ISI), by arresting a Delhi couple of their 20s, who had been working for it for 2 years. Investigators mentioned two cell phones the couple used comprise incriminating chats with their handlers within the community.
The couple, Mohammad Sahil, 25, and his spouse Sameera, 21, allegedly procured Indian SIM playing cards and despatched them to Pakistan through Dubai for the module’s use. Investigators mentioned the Pakistani intelligence operatives used the playing cards to activate and function WhatsApp from Pakistan and turn into members of teams in India to gather delicate and categorized data associated to Indian defence.
Deputy police commissioner (particular cell) Narra Chaitanya mentioned the couple was allegedly tasked with recruitment in India for reconnaissance of cantonments and to share particulars of Indian Military personnel dealing with court-martial.
The Delhi Police’s particular cell, which tracks terrorist outfits and over-ground staff and sleeper cells offering logistical assist, was tipped off concerning the ISI-backed community in Delhi and the Nationwide Capital Area.
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Module to obtain Indian SIM playing cards
The knowledge was developed, and the particular cell found that the module had recruited some in Delhi for logistical assist and to obtain SIM playing cards. The cell discovered WhatsApp was getting used on these numbers from Pakistan to gather delicate data.
Chaitanya mentioned the investigators recognized members of the module and arrested Sahil, a resident of South Delhi’s Sarai Kale Khan.
“Forensic evaluation of his cell phone helped us discover his incriminating chats with Pakistani brokers,” mentioned Chaitanya.
Pakistani agent contacted couple on Instagram
Sahil was discovered to have been allegedly involved with a Pakistani agent on Instagram by his buddy Sameera, who later grew to become his spouse. The agent allegedly launched Sahil and Sameera to a Pakistani intelligence operative. “Regularly, the operative cultivated Sahil and Sameera and satisfied them to work for the community for monetary good points. Sahil and Sameera have been requested to increase logistical assist to the community in Delhi and recruit extra people for espionage and subject operations,” mentioned Chaitanya.
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Bought sim playing cards for ₹30,000
Police mentioned the couple was allegedly paid ₹30,000 for sending eight Indian SIM playing cards to Pakistan through Dubai in 2024 and 2025. “WhatsApp accounts have been activated on these numbers in Pakistan, and the community succeeded in becoming a member of some Indian WhatsApp teams for gathering data. These accounts have been used to method Indians to gather delicate data,” mentioned a second officer.
What interrogation reveals
Chaitanya mentioned the couple’s interrogation revealed the modus operandi of the community and offered essential insights into the construction and its functioning.
“The operation uncovered important particulars about Pakistan-based handlers and the strategy they used to coordinate with the over-ground staff/sleeper cells by encrypted communication platforms.” He mentioned the operation foiled espionage actions.
Police mentioned Sahil, an Indira Gandhi Nationwide Open College graduate, labored with a lawyer and deliberate to pursue a legislation course. In June 2022, he left the job and has been unemployed since. Sameera, who accomplished her BA course by correspondence, labored at a name centre.
