New Delhi, August 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has intensified its alleged espionage efforts in India following Operation Sindoor, with investigators uncovering a growing racket involving the procurement and smuggling of Indian SIM cards to Pakistan, according to officials.
The arrest of a Delhi-based couple has brought renewed attention to the alleged network. Delhi Police said Mohammad Sahil, 25, and his wife Sameera, 21, procured eight Indian SIM cards between 2024 and 2025 and allegedly sent them to Pakistan through Dubai.
According to intelligence officials, the procurement and movement of Indian SIM cards have emerged as a specialised task within some Pakistan-backed espionage modules. The cards are allegedly routed through countries such as the UAE and Nepal before reaching Pakistan.
Officials said the use of Indian SIM cards is intended to make it harder for investigators to trace communications back to Pakistan. Once the cards reach Pakistan, they are allegedly used to activate WhatsApp accounts and facilitate honey-trapping operations targeting Indians.
The alleged network has particularly focused on individuals connected with the defence sector. Pakistan-based operatives reportedly scout social media platforms to identify people who post photographs in uniform or have links to defence establishments. Government officials and others who may have access to sensitive information are also considered potential targets.
Officials said some Indian recruits are tasked with procuring SIM cards, while others allegedly gather information around defence installations and pass it to handlers.
Investigators have found that social media is often used for initial contact before conversations shift to WhatsApp. Despite repeated detection and disruption of such honey-trapping modules, officials said the networks continue to pose a security concern.
They also stressed the need for continued public awareness, particularly among defence personnel and government employees, to prevent individuals from being exploited through online deception and blackmail.
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