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In a startling development, the interrogation of a 25-year-old post-graduate student from Kaithal, Haryana, has unearthed alleged connections with Pakistani intelligence operatives. The accused, Devender Singh, was apprehended after a First Information Report (FIR) was filed against him for sharing photographs on social media featuring weapons, as stated by Superintendent of Police Astha Modi.
According to the police, Singh, a resident of Guhla in Kaithal district, was pursuing a Master’s degree in political science at a college in Punjab. During his academic pursuits, he had visited Pakistan’s Nankana Sahib Gurdwara on a pilgrimage in November last year. It was during this visit that he allegedly came into contact with Pakistani intelligence operatives and maintained communication with them even after returning to India, the police revealed.
SP Astha Modi emphasized that during the investigation, Singh admitted to having sent some photographs of Patiala Cantonment to his Pakistani contacts by clicking pictures from outside the military facility. The authorities have since seized Singh’s mobile phone and sent it for forensic analysis to uncover further evidence of his interactions and communications with the alleged operatives.
Addressing the media, Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Kapur said, “Whether it is Panipat, Kaithal, or any other place where such individuals have been apprehended, each case presents different facts. The main accused has been arrested, and the investigation is ongoing. We will pursue all leads and connections found during the probe.”
Further scrutiny of Singh’s financial transactions and bank account has also been initiated, according to SP Modi. The objective is to trace any financial links that may have been established between Singh and the operatives during or after his visit to Pakistan.
Escalating Pattern of Espionage Cases in the Region
The arrest of Devender Singh is not an isolated incident but rather part of a broader pattern of espionage cases emerging from the region. In Panipat district, a 24-year-old youth named Nauman Ilahi was recently arrested for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistani operatives.
On May 3, Amritsar Rural Police detained two men, Palak Sher Masih and Suraj Masih, for allegedly photographing and sharing sensitive details of Army cantonments and airbases. Investigators have suggested that the duo maintained direct links with Pakistani intelligence personnel.
In another case, the Malerkotla police apprehended two individuals — 31-year-old Guzala and her associate Yameen Mohamad — on May 11 for allegedly providing sensitive information to a Pakistani official posted at the High Commission in Delhi. According to the authorities, Guzala and Yameen were part of a larger espionage network operating across the region, using their local contacts to gather and transmit sensitive military information.
The string of arrests continued in Bathinda, where on May 13, a tailor employed inside the military station was taken into custody on suspicion of spying. The accused is believed to have passed on sensitive information to Pakistani handlers, police officials said. This arrest followed the earlier apprehension of Sunil Kumar, a cobbler working inside the same military station, who was detained on April 29 under similar allegations.
Rising Concerns About Targeting Vulnerable Individuals
Law enforcement officials have expressed concerns about the increasing frequency of such espionage cases, especially targeting young individuals and civilians with access to military areas. The use of social media and encrypted messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat to maintain communication with handlers across the border has emerged as a common modus operandi.
SP Modi reiterated that law enforcement agencies are intensifying their surveillance of individuals with suspicious travel histories, especially those who have visited Pakistan recently. “We are also conducting financial audits of the accused to identify any money transfers or financial incentives received in exchange for sensitive information,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Punjab and Haryana Police have intensified their coordination efforts, sharing intelligence and leads to dismantle espionage networks operating across state lines. The arrest of Devender Singh, along with several other suspects in recent weeks, underscores the urgent need for heightened security measures and public awareness to prevent vulnerable individuals from being exploited for espionage purposes.
As the investigation unfolds, more arrests are expected as authorities work to identify the full extent of the network and the specific roles played by each individual in the broader espionage operation.
Also Read : Haryana-Based Travel Blogger Arrested for Spying, Linked to Pakistani Intelligence Network
