The Delhi Police Particular Cell has busted an espionage community backed by Pakistan’s Inter-Companies Intelligence (ISI) and arrested a Delhi-based couple on fees of spying since 2024.
Sahil (25) and his spouse Sameera (21) have been allegedly involved with Pakistan-based intelligence operatives and helped them get hold of delicate info associated to India, police stated.
Officers stated the investigation uncovered hyperlinks stretching from Delhi to Karachi and Islamabad, with Pakistani handlers allegedly sending cash to the couple.
INDIAN SIM CARDS SENT TO PAKISTAN
Based on the police, Sahil and Sameera obtained eight Indian SIM playing cards and despatched them to Pakistan through Dubai between 2024 and 2025. The handlers allegedly paid them Rs 30,000 for the SIM playing cards.
Police stated the numbers have been used to activate WhatsApp accounts in Pakistan. Pakistani intelligence operatives allegedly used these accounts to contact individuals in India and collect delicate info.
Among the accounts have been additionally allegedly used to enter Indian WhatsApp teams, the place the operatives tried to acquire info.
The investigation additionally discovered that Pakistan-based handlers have been speaking with individuals in India, together with alleged overground staff and sleeper cells, by means of social media and encrypted communication platforms, police stated.
RECONNAISSANCE OF MILITARY AREAS
Police allege Sahil was tasked with conducting reconnaissance of cantonment areas in several components of India and recruiting individuals for espionage and discipline operations.
The investigation additionally discovered that Sahil allegedly offered details about Military personnel dealing with court-martial proceedings earlier than a tribunal.
The findings recommend the community was not restricted to gathering common info and was looking for delicate particulars about Indian defence institutions and navy actions, police stated.
INSTAGRAM CONTACT LED TO SPY NETWORK
The Particular Cell first arrested Sahil, the son of Mohammad Asfaq, from Chand Bibi Camp in Sarai Kale Khan, Delhi.
A forensic examination of his cell phone allegedly revealed chats with Pakistani brokers. Primarily based on these conversations, investigators traced the community additional and learnt about Sameera’s alleged position.
Police then arrested Sameera. Her cell phone allegedly contained WhatsApp chats and conversations involving Sahil and Pakistan-based handlers.
Based on police, Sahil first got here involved with a Pakistani agent by means of Instagram in 2024. The contact was allegedly facilitated by Sameera, whom Sahil had met in 2022 earlier than they married.
The Pakistani agent later launched the couple to a Pakistani intelligence operative, who allegedly persuaded them to work for the community by promising monetary advantages.
Police stated the couple was additionally tasked with offering logistical assist to the community in Delhi and recruiting different individuals for espionage and discipline operations.
Two cell phones have been recovered from the couple, police stated. The units allegedly contained conversations with Pakistani intelligence operatives and details about the community’s contacts and actions in India.
WHO ARE THE ACCUSED?
Sahil, born in 2001, holds a BA diploma from Indira Gandhi Nationwide Open College (IGNOU) in Delhi. He had labored with a lawyer and was planning to pursue an LLB, police stated. He left his job in June 2025 and had been unemployed since.
Sameera, born in 2005, studied at Kanya Vidyalaya in Keshav Puram by means of Class 12 and later earned a BA by means of correspondence. She was working at a name centre in Noida earlier than her arrest.
Police stated the investigation started after the Particular Cell acquired details about logistical assist being offered to terrorist organisations and their alleged overground staff and sleeper cells.
Because the investigation progressed, police recognized native members allegedly serving to the community get hold of Indian SIM playing cards and facilitate communication between Pakistan-based handlers and other people in India.
The Particular Cell stated the arrests of Sahil and Sameera have offered essential leads concerning the Pakistan-based intelligence community and its alleged contacts in India.
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