In the past two weeks, police in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh have arrested 12 people. These individuals are accused of spying for Pakistan. The group includes a YouTuber, a fake doctor, students, smugglers, and a factory worker.
Key people involved
Two women and a Pakistani officer
To begin with, Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra and Guzala, a 31-year-old woman from Punjab, reportedly stayed in touch with Pakistani officer Ehsan-ur-Rahim, also known as Danish. He worked at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.
Jyoti Malhotra
Malhotra met Danish during a visit to the Pakistan High Commission while applying for a visa. Later, she stayed in contact with Pakistani intelligence officers. She also visited Pakistan several times and even traveled to China once.
Importantly, Danish was declared persona non grata by India.
Currently in custody, Malhotra is under investigation. Officials are reviewing her travel records and financial transactions. They suspect she was being trained to serve as a spy in future operations.
Guzala
Meanwhile, Guzala allegedly confessed to giving information about the Indian Army to Pakistani officials. According to PTI, Danish sent her ₹30,000 in two payments — ₹10,000 and ₹20,000 — through UPI.
Other suspects and their roles
Shahzad from Rampur, UP
Furthermore, the Moradabad Special Task Force arrested Shahzad. He allegedly smuggled goods across the border and passed security-related information to Pakistani handlers. Reports say he had visited Pakistan many times.
Falaksher Masih and Suraj Masih from Ajnala, Punjab
In another case, police arrested Falaksher and Suraj Masih. They allegedly sent sensitive data and photos of army bases and airfields in border areas to Pakistan’s spy agency ISI.
Moreover, they shared information about army movements, BSF camps, and airport locations.
Yameen Mohamad from Malerkotla, Punjab
Additionally, Yameen allegedly received online payments from Pakistan in exchange for secret information.
Sukhpreet Singh and Karanbir Singh from Gurdaspur, Punjab
During a search, police found three mobile phones and eight live .30 bore cartridges with them.
During Operation Sindoor, they allegedly passed information about troop movements and key military sites in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir.
Previously, they had been involved in drug trafficking.
Nauman Ilahi from Panipat, Haryana
Meanwhile, police arrested Nauman Ilahi, a factory security guard originally from Kairana, UP. He lived in Hali Colony with his sister and brother-in-law. He allegedly shared sensitive data with people in Pakistan.
Devender Singh from Kaithal, Haryana
Also, Devender Singh, a 25-year-old post-graduate student, allegedly posted photos with weapons on social media. He came in contact with Pakistani intelligence during a pilgrimage last year and continued communication.
He is accused of taking and sending pictures of the Patiala cantonment from outside.
Armaan from Nuh, Haryana
Next, police arrested Armaan. He allegedly shared information about army operations through WhatsApp and social media. He sent this data to an employee at the Pakistan High Commission.
Mohammad Tarif from Nuh, Haryana
Finally, Mohammad Tarif also landed in police custody. He reportedly admitted that he visited Pakistan. He allegedly gave a SIM card to two High Commission staffers—Asif Baloch and Zafar.
Why this matters
Authorities carried out these arrests after the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and during India’s Operation Sindoor.
According to Hisar SP Shashank Kumar Sawan, “This is also (a kind of) warfare, in which they (Pakistan) try to push their narrative by recruiting influencers.”
At present, police are closely checking the suspects’ financial records and digital evidence. They believe all of them passed sensitive information to Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs). The investigation continues.