Suspected Pakistani spy arrested in Sri Ganganagar for facilitating cross-border espionage

JAISALMER: In a major counter-intelligence breakthrough operation, Sri Ganganagar Police, in coordination with the CID Intelligence, have arrested 45-year-old, a suspected Pakistani spy of working for Pakistan-based ISI handlers, allegedly involved in anti-national activities. He is accused of sending eight Indian citizens SIM cards to Pakistan-based handlers of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) across the border. The accused allegedly acted at the direction of Pakistan-based handlers and facilitated the use of Indian mobile numbers by the handlers to make calls into India and obtain sensitive and strategic information, posing a threat to the country's sovereignty and security.

Sri Ganganagar superintendent of police Hari Shankar Yadav said the accused, identified as Balwinder Singh alias Bindra, 45, son of Pritam Singh, a resident of 27-A, Anupgarh in Sri Ganganagar district, had been under surveillance for his alleged links with Pakistan-based handlers. He said the operation was carried out under the supervision of additional superintendent of police, Raisinghnagar Sector, Neelam Chaudhary, and deputy superintendent of police, Anupgarh Circle, Jaiprakash Beniwal. The operation was led by Anupgarh Police Station SHO Kartar Singh, along with intelligence personnel Pawan Kumar, Keser Singh and Thakraram, in coordination with the CID (IB) team.

SP said During the collection of intelligence in the border area, police received information that Balwinder Singh was moving around the border region and was allegedly involved in anti-national activities. He said the during investigators, the Indian SIM cards were allegedly sent across to Pakistan, where the handlers used OTP verification to activate WhatsApp accounts linked to the Indian numbers. The accounts were then allegedly used to establish communication with individuals in India. Police suspect that the network was being used to obtain sensitive information concerning India’s security and strategic installations and transmit it to Pakistan.

Accused allegedly procured eight SIM cards belonging to Indian citizens from Sri Ganganagar and delivered them to Pakistan-based ISI handlers. He allegedly facilitated the activation of WhatsApp accounts in Pakistan using OTPs sent to the Indian mobile numbers. SP yadav said Investigators suspect that the Indian numbers were subsequently being used by Pakistan-based handlers to communicate with people in India and allegedly gather information related to the country's sovereignty, unity, integrity and security.

Police said the accused had also allegedly been attempting to transmit important confidential and strategic information across the border to Pakistan for the past several months. A detailed forensic examination of his mobile phone is underway. Preliminary investigation has revealed that he was allegedly in continuous contact with Pakistan-based handlers through WhatsApp. The accused has been booked in Case No. 452/2026 under Sections 318(4), 152 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and arrested. Police are conducting detailed interrogation to identify other persons allegedly involved in the network.

Police also said Balwinder Singh was already wanted in a major narcotics case registered at Jaitsar Police Station. He is wanted in Case No. 102/2026, registered under relevant provisions of the NDPS Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, in connection with the seizure of 10.5 kg of heroin worth an estimated Rs 55 crore, allegedly dropped in India from Pakistan through a drone. The accused was carrying a reward of Rs 25,000, police said. Investigators are now probing the possible links between the alleged espionage network, cross-border handlers and the narcotics smuggling network, while questioning the arrested accused about other individuals involved in the activities.