Delhi Couple Arrested for Operating Espionage Network Linked to Pakistani Intelligence

New Delhi: In a major counter-intelligence operation, the Delhi Police Special Cell has dismantled an alleged espionage network, arresting a young couple for their involvement in facilitating activities for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

Authorities identified the accused as Mohammad Sahil and his wife, Samira. Investigations revealed that the duo had been actively collaborating with Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs) since 2024, functioning as a vital link for the handlers based across the border.

The Mechanism of Espionage

The investigation suggests that the couple played a multifaceted role in the network. Beyond providing logistical support, they were responsible for procuring Indian SIM cards, which were then smuggled to Pakistan via Dubai. Once these SIM cards reached their handlers, they were used to activate WhatsApp accounts, allowing Pakistani operatives to infiltrate Indian military communication groups and extract sensitive information.

According to police sources, the couple was recruited after being lured with financial incentives. Between 2024 and 2025, they reportedly provided eight Indian SIM cards to their handlers, receiving a payment of ₹30,000 for their services.

Recruiting for Subversion

The Special Cell’s interrogation of the couple has uncovered deeper layers of the conspiracy. Sahil had allegedly been tasked with recruiting individuals to conduct reconnaissance on various cantonment areas across India. Furthermore, he was assigned the specific, high-risk task of gathering information on Indian Army personnel, particularly those involved in ongoing court-martial proceedings.

“This operation has provided us with crucial intelligence regarding how Pakistani handlers communicate with their sleeper cells in India,” a senior officer noted. “The couple acted as conduits for these handlers, helping to expand their network by recruiting others for field operations.”

Background of the Accused

The accused, both young, had seemingly normal backgrounds before becoming involved in the espionage network. Mohammad Sahil, born in 2001, had previously worked for a lawyer while pursuing an LLB degree, though he was unemployed at the time of his arrest in Delhi’s Sarai Kale Khan area. His wife, Samira (born in 2005), was employed at a call center in Noida.

Following Sahil’s arrest, forensic analysis of their mobile devices provided the digital trail necessary to link Samira to the procurement of the SIM cards and her communication with the Pakistani handlers.

Ongoing Investigation

The Special Cell maintains that the arrest of the couple has significantly disrupted the network’s local operations. Investigative teams are currently working to trace other individuals linked to the module, identify the specific Pakistani handlers involved, and map the full extent of the network’s activities within India.

As agencies ramp up their efforts to secure military data, this case highlights the evolving nature of proxy intelligence operations, which increasingly leverage social media and local sleeper cells to bypass traditional security measures.