New Delhi, August 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Delhi Police Special Cell has busted a Pakistan-based espionage network that allegedly used Indian SIM cards, procured through local contacts, to activate WhatsApp accounts and gain access to Indian WhatsApp groups, officials said on Friday.
The Special Cell’s Northern Range arrested a Delhi-based couple, Mohammad Sahil and his wife Sameera, for allegedly working with Pakistani intelligence operatives since 2024.
Police said the couple also helped recruit people for reconnaissance of cantonment areas at various locations in India.
According to investigators, the network obtained Indian SIM cards through local contacts and transported them to Pakistan via Dubai. The cards were reportedly used in Pakistan to activate WhatsApp accounts, which Pakistani intelligence operatives then allegedly used to enter Indian WhatsApp groups and approach users for sensitive information.
Police said eight Indian SIM cards were sent to Pakistan through Dubai during 2024 and 2025. The couple was allegedly paid around Rs 30,000 by their Pakistani handlers for supplying the cards.
The case came to light after the Special Cell received intelligence about an alleged ISI-backed Pakistani intelligence network operating in Delhi-NCR. A team led by Inspectors Anuj Nautiyal and Chandan Kumar, under the supervision of ACP Rahul Kumar Singh, developed the intelligence and identified the suspected local links.
Sahil was arrested from Sarai Kale Khan. During forensic examination of his mobile phone, investigators allegedly found conversations with Pakistani agents.
During interrogation, Sahil reportedly told police that he came into contact with a Pakistani agent on Instagram in 2024 through Sameera, whom he later married. The agent subsequently introduced the couple to another Pakistani intelligence operative, who allegedly recruited them after promising financial benefits.
Police said Sahil and Sameera provided logistical assistance to the network and were tasked with recruiting additional people for espionage-related activities and field operations.
Sahil was allegedly assigned to identify people for reconnaissance of cantonment areas and collect details about Army personnel whose court-martial proceedings were pending before tribunals.
Following his interrogation, police arrested Sameera, who allegedly told investigators that she played a key role in arranging and supplying Indian SIM cards to Pakistani handlers.
Two mobile phones allegedly used in the activities have been recovered. Their forensic examination reportedly revealed WhatsApp chats and other communications between the couple and Pakistani handlers.
The Special Cell said the arrests provided investigators with information about the alleged modus operandi of the Pakistan-based operatives and their coordination with local contacts through digital platforms.
Police said the operation disrupted the alleged espionage network and helped uncover its local support structure in Delhi-NCR.
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