New Delhi: The Special Cell of Delhi Police has unearthed a major espionage network allegedly backed by Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), leading to the arrest of 11 individuals linked to the banned outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), officials said on Friday.
According to police, the accused were involved in installing covert surveillance systems at sensitive locations, including areas linked to Army establishments. Investigators found that CCTV cameras had been installed at nine locations across the country, with live feeds being transmitted to handlers based in Pakistan through mobile applications.
Pramod Singh Kushwah said that in the first operation, six accused were arrested — three from Punjab and three from Delhi. Authorities recovered nine solar-powered CCTV cameras placed near key security installations. These devices were used to relay real-time visuals to foreign handlers.
Police also seized three PX5 pistols, a country-made firearm, and 24 live cartridges during the raids. Preliminary investigations revealed that the network was funded through UPI transactions, with money partly sourced from illegal arms smuggling.
In a parallel operation based on inputs from Military Intelligence, five more suspects were arrested from Punjab. These individuals were reportedly involved in reconnaissance of sensitive Army and paramilitary sites, sharing photographs and videos with operatives across the border, and facilitating surveillance infrastructure.
Officials said the module was part of a larger cross-border nexus involving Pakistan-based handlers, gangsters, and terror operatives. Indian recruits were allegedly lured with financial incentives generated through illegal arms and drug trafficking and tasked with collecting intelligence and aiding logistical planning.
The investigation further revealed that SIM cards obtained using fake identities were used to operate the surveillance systems and transmit data. Digital evidence, including images, videos, and location details, has been recovered from seized mobile devices.
Authorities also uncovered a structured arms trafficking network in which foreign-made weapons were smuggled into India and distributed among operatives on instructions from handlers abroad. Funds from these operations were reinvested into sustaining the espionage activities.
Officials added that the crackdown has thwarted potential plans to target security establishments through grenade attacks and other acts of terror, preventing what could have been a major security threat.
