Honey Trap, Diplomatic Deception: Anti-Espionage Probe After Pahalgam Reveals Deep Infiltration
Last Updated:
Officials said Pakistani diplomats used official cover to recruit not only government insiders but also emotionally vulnerable individuals and aspirational social media influencers
In the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam attack, central intelligence agencies convened a high-level meeting and directed their state units to narrow down suspects from a list of nearly 1,500 individuals compiled through inter-agency intelligence sharing.
Government employees and security personnel came under intense scrutiny, leading to the identification of around 30 individuals allegedly involved in an espionage network. This intelligence was subsequently shared with local police and other enforcement agencies for corroboration and further action.
According to sources, the central agencies prepared a report of every individual, and a team matched them for further analysis to understand the trend.
Officials discovered that many of these individuals had accessed sensitive areas and collected classified information. Sources also said an umbrella report revealed that the espionage activities were being orchestrated with direct support from individuals operating under diplomatic cover in India.
'A common pattern emerged that officers from Pakistan's ISI and other intelligence agencies exploited vulnerable individuals, many of whom were lured with small amounts of money," a senior official involved in the probe told News18. 'Several suspects were found communicating with a set of women identified as a Pakistani intelligence operative who had honey-trapped them."
Most of them were in touch with different Pakistani officials for the last 4-5 months.
The operation also exposed a shift in espionage tactics. Officials noted a modern, asymmetric strategy where Pakistani diplomats used official cover to recruit not only government insiders but also emotionally vulnerable individuals, aspirational social media influencers, and students, the official said.
The agencies further observed that a significant number of those targeted were North Indians familiar with the terrain, making them valuable assets for intelligence gathering. Officials who were trapped were living in the area of which information was required by Pakistani agency.
The operation remains ongoing, and more arrests are expected in the coming days based on actionable intelligence provided by central agencies to local authorities.
What Analysis Found
This was the most common tactic used to lure and compromise targets. Victims were contacted via Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp, often by ISI operatives posing as Indian women. Once rapport was built, intelligence was slowly extracted under emotional/romantic pretences.
Civilian Targets With Access to Sensitive Info
Arrests weren't limited to military insiders—many were students, YouTubers, labourers, or low-level contractors. Ravindra Verma (junior engineer), Jyoti Malhotra (YouTuber), and Devendra Dhillon (student) had limited but useful access (photos, base locations, movement patterns) and were likely seen as easier to manipulate.
Heavy Use of Encrypted or Obscure Communication Tools
Apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and custom-designed apps were used to transmit intelligence. Some accused even received instructions through voice notes or delay-upload tools.
Clustered Geography
Majority of arrests came from Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. A few isolated cases occurred in Maharashtra, but no confirmed arrests in Southern or North-eastern states so far. ISI networks appear densely active in the northern Indian belt, where familiarity with terrain and access to sensitive installations is higher.
Arrested so far
1. Ravindra Muralidhar Verma
Details of Allegations: A 27-year-old defence contractor from Thane, Maharashtra, who leaked sensitive naval information (including sketches and audio notes about 14 Indian warships and submarines) to a Pakistan-based handler over WhatsApp. He was honey-trapped through a fake Facebook account, arrested by Maharashtra ATS and booked under the Official Secrets Act.
2. Jyoti Malhotra
Details of Allegations: A travel YouTuber from Karnal, Haryana, accused of sending videos and photos of sensitive border areas to Pakistani handlers via encrypted apps. She was in contact with a Pakistan High Commission official and made multiple trips to Pakistan. Arrested and remanded under the Official Secrets Act and conspiracy laws.
3. Jasbir Singh (alias 'Jaan Mahal")
Details of Allegations: A YouTuber from Tarn Taran, Punjab, arrested for allegedly promoting pro-Pakistan content, maintaining contact with over 150 Pakistani individuals, and receiving money through suspicious transactions. He reportedly helped others access Pakistan Day events in Delhi.
4. Shakur Khan
Details of Allegations: A government official from Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, who made multiple visits to Pakistan. He was arrested for sending sensitive border-related information via WhatsApp to ISI handlers. Remanded under the Official Secrets Act.
5. Devendra Singh Dhillon
Details of Allegations: A 25-year-old student from Rohtak, Haryana, accused of sharing photos and details of military installations after visiting Pakistan via the Kartarpur Corridor. He was allegedly recruited by ISI handlers and communicated through Telegram.
6. Mohammad Murtaza Ali
Details of Allegations: A man from Jalandhar, Punjab, accused of developing and using a mobile app to transmit confidential Indian defence information to Pakistan. He was arrested with multiple mobile phones and SIM cards used for the operation.
7. Mohammad Tareef (or Tarif)
Details of Allegations: A civilian from Tauru, Mewat (Haryana), arrested for sharing visuals of Indian military deployments and IAF bases with handlers linked to Pakistan's High Commission. He was part of a wider ring busted during a major intelligence crackdown.
8. Armaan
Details of Allegations: A 26-year-old man from Nuh, Haryana, arrested for sending photos and videos from army expos and defence locations to handlers in the Pakistan High Commission. He was part of the same network as Mohammad Tareef.
9. Amritsar Labourers
Details of Allegations: Several daily-wage labourers from Punjab were arrested for leaking basic military infrastructure and deployment details. They reportedly communicated with a jailed intermediary who passed on information to Pakistani handlers.
10. Shahzad
Details of Allegations: A businessman from Moradabad/Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, accused of running a smuggling operation that doubled as an espionage network for Pakistan's ISI. He was arrested under the National Security Act and Official Secrets Act.
top videos
View all
11. Aasif Baloch & Zaffar (Pakistan High Commission officials)
Details of Allegations: Not Indian nationals but were directly involved in managing the Indian spy network. Named in FIRs and intelligence reports. Declared persona non grata and expelled from India.
About the Author
Ankur Sharma
With over 15 years of journalistic experience, Ankur Sharma, Associate Editor, specializes in internal security and is tasked with providing comprehensive coverage from the Ministry of Home Affairs, paramilitar...Read More
Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
tags :
espionage haryana honey trap jyoti malhotra Pahalgam attack pakistan punjab Spying
Location :
New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
June 10, 2025, 09:43 IST
News india Honey Trap, Diplomatic Deception: Anti-Espionage Probe After Pahalgam Reveals Deep Infiltration
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
Govt may help MSMEs register products abroad: Piyush Goyal
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Bern: India plans to come out with a dedicated scheme to assist micro, small and medium enterprises in registering their products overseas, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal government is firming up details of the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) announced in its February budget, and this scheme could be a part of the package."I am thinking of coming out with a scheme that any MSME that needs to spend any amount of money to register their products anywhere in the world, particularly for new products, new markets, and new exporters, the government will fund the whole cost," Goyal told a visiting Indian industry delegation late Monday is on a four-day visit to Switzerland and Sweden to boost trade and investments between the two asked the Indian industry to focus on exporting value-added goods and run campaigns for brand building and marketing."We do a lot of rice exports. Can we look at how to add value to those exports. We need to brand the products, can we run campaigns? Can we run joint campaigns to market Indian rice or grown-in-India rice?" the minister prompted the said the government had inked several free trade agreements and is negotiating deals with the EU, New Zealand and Oman. "I am sure the (deal with) EU will happen very soon. So, in a short span of a year and a half, we will get an FTA with all the major European countries with whom we wish to do business," Goyal said, adding Brazil is keen to initiate talks on a trade deal. "We already have negotiations with Chile and Peru," he about measures to arrest the declining trend in FDI, he said India is witnessing renewed overseas inflows and the government is open to suggestions and will adopt new measures to promote he said there is no declining trend even though periodic fluctuations may occur due to changes in global interest received FDI of $748.78 billion between 2014-2025Goyal has proposed a dedicated enclave for Swiss businesses in India with a trade deal with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which includes Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, coming into effect in three an event organised to mark the Swiss industry day here, the minister said both Switzerland and India had a "natural partnership." Citing statistics to highlight the India growth story, he said the country was focussing on inclusive growth and had taken large leaps in creating infrastructure."We could even create a Swiss enclave, an area dedicated to Swiss businesses," Goyal said, adding that the enclave could have restaurants, hotels, schools and colleges for Swiss citizens who would come to work in the units of those said while India provides a huge market and skilled professionals, Switzerland has advanced manufacturing the pact, India has received an investment commitment of $ 100 billion in 15 years from the grouping. The minister suggested a reciprocal mechanism for recognition of certification about the proposed trade deal between New Delhi and the US, Goyal said both were in talks for a "fair and equitable" trade agreement that will provide them with an opportunity to expand and strengthen trade ties."We believe it's an opportunity for us to expand our bilateral trade and strengthen our partnership," he told reporters minister said that both America and India are close friends, allies and strategic partners."We are negotiating to make a nice, fair, equitable and balanced agreement to promote business," Goyal said.A US team of trade officials is in New Delhi till June 10 for talks on the trade deal, US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced in minister said Swiss pharmaceutical companies have not shown even a single instance that Indian companies have illegally copied any of their trademarks or patent or copyrighted technology."I was shown none, not one. This is a myth which has been propagated for years," Goyal told reporters, responding to queries on complaints of Swiss pharma companies on IPR issue."India is very respectful of intellectual property rights (IPRs). India is very conscious of its responsibilities, and India is a country known to never, ever steal anybody else's technology," he underlined that India does not permit ever-greening of patents.(The correspondent is in Switzerland at the invitation of Commerce and Industry Ministry)
Time of India
42 minutes ago
- Time of India
Man who stabbed cops is Bangladeshi
Kolkata: A man who attacked and stabbed two police officers outside the North Port police station last Saturday was identified as an illegal immigrant from Bangladesh who was living in the city under a false identity since 2006. The accused, Md Sultan Sk (32), who was staying in Kolkata as Bipul Mondal, was arrested following the attack. The North Port police station registered a case under Section 212 BNS and Section 14A(b) of the Foreigners Act. During the investigation, authorities discovered that Sultan, originally from Charkacha village in Bangladesh's Raipur district, illegally crossed the Benapole border into India in 2006. He subsequently travelled to Sealdah railway station and settled in Kolkata, where he worked as a flower vendor near Howrah Bridge. "The accused failed to produce any valid documentation proving his Indian citizenship," said Joint CP (crime & traffic) Rupesh Kumar. Sultan is currently in police custody until June 11 in connection with this case. The revelation of Sultan's true identity came during police interrogation, where he confessed to illegally entering India and assuming a false identity. He was residing at the Armenian Ghat Road, he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pinga-Pinga e HBP? Tome isso 1x ao dia se tem mais de 40 anos Portal Saúde do Homem Clique aqui Undo "He was arrested earlier but it is not clear why his Bangladeshi identity was not probed," claimed a police officer. Assistant sub-inspector Partha Chand and constable Sukhendu Majhi, who were stabbed are currently receiving medical treatment. Police authorities have launched a broader investigation to determine if Sultan has any connections to other illegal activities or networks facilitating unauthorised border crossings.
The Hindu
43 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Promise of high returns leads Secunderabad businessman to lose ₹61 lakh in fake investment scam
A promise of high returns landed a 40-year-old businessman from Secunderabad in a ₹61.52 lakh scam via a fake investment platform. The victim was first approached on April 4 through a WhatsApp message claiming to be from 'G-6 Nuvama Wealth Group', shortly after he had entered his mobile number on a Facebook advertisement promoting an investment and stock trading application. The message directed him to a registration form hosted on an official-looking 'Microsoft Office' link and later to a trading website named Once registered, the victim was offered IPO allotments. He was led to believe he had received 9,080 shares of 'Tank Up Engineers' at ₹55 each, 1,31,500 shares of 'Arunaya Organics Ltd' at ₹20 each, and 2,06,600 shares of 'Virtual Galaxy Info Tech' priced at ₹45 per share. These fake allotments were shown to amount to a total balance of ₹2.99 crore on the portal. When he attempted to withdraw ₹56 lakh from the platform, the transaction was blocked. The fraudsters then demanded a 20% commission, amounting to ₹59.83 lakh, as a prerequisite to processing the withdrawal. Despite repeated appeals to adjust the commission from the displayed amount, the scammers insisted on upfront payment and began issuing threats, warning that failure to comply would result in blocking of his account and fund freeze. It was only after these threats and failed withdrawal attempts that the businessman realised that he was conned. Following a complaint, the cybercrime wing of the Hyderabad police booked a case and initiated an investigation.
