ISI Spy Network Busted in Punjab: The major counter-intelligence achievement in Punjab has revealed to security agencies a complex network of spies which they believe operates under Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Verified reports suggest that Punjab Police recently discovered two spy networks which operated between India and Pakistan to transmit sensitive military data.
ISI Spy Network Busted in Punjab: How?
The police investigation started after officers made arrests in Jalandhar and Kapurthala districts. Police arrested several people who included a main suspect from Ferozepur who had Chinese surveillance devices and communication equipment in his possession.
“These Chinese cameras are ideal for off-grid surveillance as they operate via 4G connectivity and solar power, bypassing the need for traditional wiring,” Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav pointed out.
The authorities confirmed that these people maintained direct links with handlers from Pakistan while receiving payment to set up and operate surveillance equipment at critical defense areas.
The arrested individuals were Sona, a resident of Dona Mattar in Ferozepur, and Sandeep Singh, alias Sonu, a resident of the village of Chhanga Khurd in Ferozepur. They had rented a shop to install a SIM-based camera on a nearby pole to monitor military movements.
INS Nireekshak arrives in Sri Lanka for Operational Turnaround and training visit
Chinese Solar Tech
Solar-powered Chinese CCTV systems operate as the central element in this case according to its most important element. The devices included USB solar panels which enabled independent operation through 4G wireless networks without needing any physical cables.
Security experts and police officials explained that these systems provide optimal conditions for undercover work because they:
- Operate off-grid using solar energy
- Do not require visible power connections
- Can run continuously in remote or agricultural areas
This makes them extremely difficult to detect, especially in regions like Punjab where farmland provides natural cover.
SIM-Based Cameras
The second key element was the use of SIM-based CCTV cameras. The devices transmitted live video feeds through mobile networks to handlers located in Pakistan.
Police officers declared that they installed cameras to monitor army bases and military supply routes. The system transmitted video footage through mobile applications which allowed for immediate viewing. The system required only basic physical upkeep after it was set up
The authorities reported that a camera was placed on a pole close to a rented shop in order to monitor military movements without detection.
Local Operatives (‘Ground Assets’)
Espionage missions require human agents to operate the necessary hardware. The investigations discovered that local residents provided assistance to the operation which depended on their services as ground assets.
The people who operate these systems:
- They installed and serviced the surveillance system.
- They obtained SIM cards and SIM-enabled devices.
- They transmitted classified information to their overseas handlers.
The authorities explain that these operatives typically face recruitment through two methods which include monetary inducements and online recruitment channels while they lack knowledge about the complete framework of their organization.
Research in India has documented multiple recruiting cases in which ISI-affiliated groups have targeted individuals from various sectors including students and workers and YouTube creators and business people to form their decentralized operational units.
Government & Security Response
The Punjab Police regarding this matter has increased its efforts to conduct:
- They are carrying out operations to identify potential threats.
- They are conducting surveillance activities in regions that are close to military installations.
- They are tracking electronic devices that exhibit unusual behavior.
The state has expanded its surveillance system by constructing a new network of security cameras which includes thousands of cameras that protect border areas according to their defensive plans.
