Honey Trap, Diplomatic Deception: Anti-Espionage Probe After Pahalgam Reveals Deep Infiltration

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Officials said Pakistani diplomats used official cover to recruit not only government insiders but also emotionally vulnerable individuals and aspirational social media influencers
In the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam attack, central intelligence agencies convened a high-level meeting and directed their state units to narrow down suspects from a list of nearly 1,500 individuals compiled through inter-agency intelligence sharing.
Government employees and security personnel came under intense scrutiny, leading to the identification of around 30 individuals allegedly involved in an espionage network. This intelligence was subsequently shared with local police and other enforcement agencies for corroboration and further action.
According to sources, the central agencies prepared a report of every individual, and a team matched them for further analysis to understand the trend.
Officials discovered that many of these individuals had accessed sensitive areas and collected classified information. Sources also said an umbrella report revealed that the espionage activities were being orchestrated with direct support from individuals operating under diplomatic cover in India.
'A common pattern emerged that officers from Pakistan's ISI and other intelligence agencies exploited vulnerable individuals, many of whom were lured with small amounts of money," a senior official involved in the probe told News18. 'Several suspects were found communicating with a set of women identified as a Pakistani intelligence operative who had honey-trapped them."
Most of them were in touch with different Pakistani officials for the last 4-5 months.
The operation also exposed a shift in espionage tactics. Officials noted a modern, asymmetric strategy where Pakistani diplomats used official cover to recruit not only government insiders but also emotionally vulnerable individuals, aspirational social media influencers, and students, the official said.
The agencies further observed that a significant number of those targeted were North Indians familiar with the terrain, making them valuable assets for intelligence gathering. Officials who were trapped were living in the area of which information was required by Pakistani agency.
The operation remains ongoing, and more arrests are expected in the coming days based on actionable intelligence provided by central agencies to local authorities.
What Analysis Found
This was the most common tactic used to lure and compromise targets. Victims were contacted via Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp, often by ISI operatives posing as Indian women. Once rapport was built, intelligence was slowly extracted under emotional/romantic pretences.
Civilian Targets With Access to Sensitive Info
Arrests weren't limited to military insiders—many were students, YouTubers, labourers, or low-level contractors. Ravindra Verma (junior engineer), Jyoti Malhotra (YouTuber), and Devendra Dhillon (student) had limited but useful access (photos, base locations, movement patterns) and were likely seen as easier to manipulate.
Heavy Use of Encrypted or Obscure Communication Tools
Apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and custom-designed apps were used to transmit intelligence. Some accused even received instructions through voice notes or delay-upload tools.
Clustered Geography
Majority of arrests came from Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. A few isolated cases occurred in Maharashtra, but no confirmed arrests in Southern or North-eastern states so far. ISI networks appear densely active in the northern Indian belt, where familiarity with terrain and access to sensitive installations is higher.
Arrested so far
1. Ravindra Muralidhar Verma
Details of Allegations: A 27-year-old defence contractor from Thane, Maharashtra, who leaked sensitive naval information (including sketches and audio notes about 14 Indian warships and submarines) to a Pakistan-based handler over WhatsApp. He was honey-trapped through a fake Facebook account, arrested by Maharashtra ATS and booked under the Official Secrets Act.
2. Jyoti Malhotra
Details of Allegations: A travel YouTuber from Karnal, Haryana, accused of sending videos and photos of sensitive border areas to Pakistani handlers via encrypted apps. She was in contact with a Pakistan High Commission official and made multiple trips to Pakistan. Arrested and remanded under the Official Secrets Act and conspiracy laws.
3. Jasbir Singh (alias 'Jaan Mahal")
Details of Allegations: A YouTuber from Tarn Taran, Punjab, arrested for allegedly promoting pro-Pakistan content, maintaining contact with over 150 Pakistani individuals, and receiving money through suspicious transactions. He reportedly helped others access Pakistan Day events in Delhi.
4. Shakur Khan
Details of Allegations: A government official from Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, who made multiple visits to Pakistan. He was arrested for sending sensitive border-related information via WhatsApp to ISI handlers. Remanded under the Official Secrets Act.
5. Devendra Singh Dhillon
Details of Allegations: A 25-year-old student from Rohtak, Haryana, accused of sharing photos and details of military installations after visiting Pakistan via the Kartarpur Corridor. He was allegedly recruited by ISI handlers and communicated through Telegram.
6. Mohammad Murtaza Ali
Details of Allegations: A man from Jalandhar, Punjab, accused of developing and using a mobile app to transmit confidential Indian defence information to Pakistan. He was arrested with multiple mobile phones and SIM cards used for the operation.
7. Mohammad Tareef (or Tarif)
Details of Allegations: A civilian from Tauru, Mewat (Haryana), arrested for sharing visuals of Indian military deployments and IAF bases with handlers linked to Pakistan's High Commission. He was part of a wider ring busted during a major intelligence crackdown.
8. Armaan
Details of Allegations: A 26-year-old man from Nuh, Haryana, arrested for sending photos and videos from army expos and defence locations to handlers in the Pakistan High Commission. He was part of the same network as Mohammad Tareef.
9. Amritsar Labourers
Details of Allegations: Several daily-wage labourers from Punjab were arrested for leaking basic military infrastructure and deployment details. They reportedly communicated with a jailed intermediary who passed on information to Pakistani handlers.
10. Shahzad
Details of Allegations: A businessman from Moradabad/Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, accused of running a smuggling operation that doubled as an espionage network for Pakistan's ISI. He was arrested under the National Security Act and Official Secrets Act.
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11. Aasif Baloch & Zaffar (Pakistan High Commission officials)
Details of Allegations: Not Indian nationals but were directly involved in managing the Indian spy network. Named in FIRs and intelligence reports. Declared persona non grata and expelled from India.
About the Author
Ankur Sharma
With over 15 years of journalistic experience, Ankur Sharma, Associate Editor, specializes in internal security and is tasked with providing comprehensive coverage from the Ministry of Home Affairs, paramilitar...Read More
Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
tags :
espionage haryana honey trap jyoti malhotra Pahalgam attack pakistan punjab Spying
Location :
New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
June 10, 2025, 09:43 IST
News india Honey Trap, Diplomatic Deception: Anti-Espionage Probe After Pahalgam Reveals Deep Infiltration

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