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Time of India
10 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Experts highlight importance of daily Yoga at SGPGI event
Lucknow: Yogacharyas of Himalayan Garhwal University, Pauri, Dr Ravindra Verma, and Dr Aanchal Verma emphasised the importance of practicing yoga for at least 10 minutes daily, at the Yoga Day event held at SGPGI on Saturday. Dean and officiating director, Prof Shaleen Kumar, said that the essence of being human lies in having limitless possibilities, and yoga is one of the tools through which one can achieve desired outcomes. The programme, which marked the conclusion of two weeks of yoga-related activities, culminated with a demonstration of various aasanas. "Over the past two weeks, several sessions were conducted for different groups. These included a comprehensive and impactful workshop on yoga by the Department of Hospital Administration, SGPGI; a session on Surya Namaskar by the College of Nursing; and the inauguration of the Yoga Garden at Amrit Vatika, among others," an official spokesperson said.
News18
10-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
Honey Trap, Diplomatic Deception: Anti-Espionage Probe After Pahalgam Reveals Deep Infiltration
Last Updated: 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. top videos View all 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, 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
News18
06-06-2025
- News18
Honeytrapped By Agent, Received Money From Abroad: How Thane Engineer Spied For Pakistan
Last Updated: Ravindra Verma, engineer arrested from Thane, spied by knowingly sharing classified information—including sketches, diagrams, and audio notes, investigations have revealed. Thane engineer, who was arrested for allegedly spying and sharing sensitive information about warships and submarines to Pakistan, was lured into passing classified information after being honey-trapped by a Pakistani agent posing as a woman on Facebook. As the investigations into the case progressed, it was known that 27-year-old Ravindra Verma shared sensitive information knowingly and intentionally multiple times. In exchange for the information, he received money from various bank accounts from India and abroad, according to the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). The ATS also said Verma shared sensitive information about warships and submarines to the Pakistani intelligence operative through sketches, diagrams and audio notes. As Verma worked with a defence technology firm, he had access to the Naval Dockyard in south Mumbai. He would also go on board naval ships and submarines. The ATS suspects that he also shared the names of submarines and warships to the Pakistani agent. On June 5, a court in Thane remanded Verma to 14-day judicial custody. Verma's arrest comes in line with the arrest of several others, including popular YouTubers, who have been accused of spying for Pakistan. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the Pahalgam terror attack, with India carrying out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the early hours of May 7. Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10. The Indian side strongly responded to the Pakistani attempts by inflicting heavy damage to a number of key Pakistani military installations, including air bases, air defence systems, command and control centres and radar sites. On May 10, the militaries of the two countries agreed on an understanding to end the hostilities.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Time of India
Engineer sent to 14-day judicial custody in alleged Pak honeytrap case
Thane: A magistrate's court in Thane remanded mechanical engineer Ravindra Verma to 14-day judicial custody for allegedly leaking sensitive information on naval establishments to Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs). ATS is probing the phone numbers used in the communication, confirming that the woman chatting with Verma was using Indian numbers. Investigators also launched an investigation into the bank accounts, which are said to be of Indian banks and used in transferring money to his account, a source said. The source added that the woman also lied to Verma that they would meet in Mumbai. It is learnt that Verma's mother even reprimanded the woman, identified as 'Jasprit', during a call after sensing something suspicious in her son's interactions, informed the source. Investigators told the court they are currently awaiting forensic reports that may shed more light on the case. Meanwhile, Verma's lawyer argued that no conclusive evidence has been presented yet of his connection with Pakistan.
Hindustan Times
02-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Pakistan espionage case: Thane engineer's police custody extended till June 5
A court on Monday extended till June 5 the police custody of mechanical engineer Ravindra Verma, arrested for alleged spying and sharing sensitive information about warships and submarines to Pakistan after the prosecution submitted that his colleagues need to be questioned. The 27-year-old junior engineer who worked with a defence technology firm was arrested by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) last week. He is a resident of Kalwa in neighbouring Thane. Verma was produced before a court in Thane on Monday at the end of his previous remand. Police requested the extension of Verma's custody explaining to the court the need to conduct a probe at Verma's workplace and question his colleagues. According to police, Verma was lured into passing classified information after being honey-trapped by a Pakistani agent posing as a woman on Facebook. Police had said that Verma shared sensitive information about warships and submarines to the Pakistani intelligence operative through sketches, diagrams and audio notes, and received money from various bank accounts in India and abroad in return. On Monday, defence lawyer Rajhans Girase contended that Verma was implicated and that police didn't possess concrete evidence against him. He claimed that Verma's arrest was illegal as the ATS didn't follow the legal guidelines. The lawyer submitted that the court had not seen any solid proof and that the blue diary recovered from him only contained work-related notes. Regarding the large transactions in his bank account, the defence lawyer stated that ₹2,000 was sent by a girl named Preeti for his niece's expenses. Arguing against the extension of police custody, he submitted that documents had already been recovered from Verma. Verma worked as a junior engineer with a defence technology firm and by virtue of his work, he had access to the Naval Dockyard in south Mumbai. He would also go on board naval ships and submarines, the ATS had said. The ATS suspects that he also shared the names of submarines and warships with the Pakistani agent.
