Haryana College Student Arrested for Allegedly Spying for Pakistan
A college student has been arrested in Kaithal, Haryana, on serious charges of spying and allegedly passing sensitive information to Pakistan. The arrest highlights ongoing counter-intelligence efforts by Indian authorities to thwart espionage activities. Details regarding the specific information shared or the student's handlers are currently under investigation. This incident underscores the persistent security challenges faced by India.
Unpacked:
According to reports, the accused reportedly recorded and sent video footage of sensitive Indian military areas, such as the Patiala cantonment, to Pakistani contacts. Other network members procured SIM cards, transferred funds, and visited defense-related events to gather intelligence as directed by Pakistani handlers. The full extent of the information compromised is still under investigation.
The student, Devinder Singh Dhillon from Kaithal, Haryana, was allegedly recruited during a religious pilgrimage to Pakistan. Pakistani intelligence operatives targeted vulnerable individuals, manipulating them through emotional connections, monetary gifts, and false promises, thereby drawing them into the espionage network.
Yes, the espionage case has escalated diplomatic tensions. India has expelled a staff member of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, declaring him persona non grata after linking him to the spy ring. Pakistan retaliated by expelling an Indian official, further straining the already fraught relationship.
Yes, there have been several recent espionage incidents involving spy rings operated by Pakistan’s ISI targeting Indian military information. Arrests have occurred in Punjab and Haryana, and Indian authorities have increasingly uncovered such networks, often leading to diplomatic expulsions and heightened security measures in response to cross-border intelligence threats.