2 Arrested For 'Leaking' Sensitive Defence Info To Pak Official At High Commission In Delhi: Punjab Police
Punjab Police on Sunday arrested two individuals for allegedly leaking sensitive defence information to a Pakistani official posted at the High Commission in Delhi, marking a significant development in India’s efforts to dismantle cross-border espionage networks.
Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said one suspect was initially apprehended based on credible intelligence inputs for sharing classified details regarding Indian Army movements with a Pakistan-based handler. “Based on disclosures made during interrogation, a second conduit was also identified and taken into custody,” he stated in a post on X.
The preliminary probe, according to Yadav, revealed that the accused were receiving payments through online channels in exchange for classified information. They were in regular contact with the handler and were also channelling funds to other local operatives on his instructions. Two mobile phones have been recovered and a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered in connection with the case.
“This operation marks a significant step in dismantling cross-border espionage networks and reinforces our commitment to national security,” the DGP added. He further noted that investigations would continue as per established protocol, focusing on financial trails and identifying additional operatives and linkages within the network.
Back in 2020, India had expelled half the staff at Pakistan’s high commission in Delhi, accusing them of espionage and links with terrorist networks. Pakistan reciprocated by reducing staff at India’s high commission in Islamabad. Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours were already high at the time, following the expulsion of two Pakistani officials allegedly involved in attempts to gather information on Indian troop movements.
PM Modi Chairs High-Level Security Meet After Military Understanding
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level security meeting at his residence on Sunday amid an uneasy calm along the border with Pakistan. The meeting was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Anil Chauhan, and the chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force.
The discussions came in the backdrop of a fragile ceasefire, which US President Donald Trump claims credit for. Though Pakistan had announced its commitment to the ceasefire, it later violated it, prompting Indian forces to retaliate. Subsequently, Pakistani drone and missile intrusions into Indian territory reportedly ceased, with blackouts reimposed in several border areas.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasised that India “has consistently maintained a firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and will continue to do so.” Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri also stated during a late-night press briefing that India had taken “very, very serious notice” of the ceasefire violations. “We call upon Pakistan to take appropriate steps to address these violations and handle the situation with seriousness and responsibility,” he said, adding that Indian armed forces had been instructed to deal firmly with any further provocations along the International Border and Line of Control (LoC).
Pakistan, on its part, reiterated its commitment to the ceasefire agreement. Pak Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the country “remains committed to faithful implementation” of the agreement, expressing hope that it would mark “a new beginning in the resolution of issues that have plagued the region and prevented its journey toward peace, prosperity and stability.”
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