A 15-year-old from Pathankot in Punjab was arrested for spying for Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), in what appears to be an attempt by the ISI to recruit minors from India to spy for the country.
The boy was arrested by Pathankot Police after it was revealed during the investigation that he had been in regular touch with Pakistani handlers, sharing with them details of security installations. According to media reports, the boy shared sensitive information for over a year.
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A Times of India report said the boy was tricked by Pakistani handlers on social media. He was emotionally vulnerable as he was made to believe that his father had been killed, according to media reports, although the police is yet to confirm this.
"The police have arrested the boy after receiving information that he had been supplying information related to the security of our nation to the frontal organisations of terror agencies, ISI, and Pakistan military officers," TOI quoted SSP Pathankot Daljinder Singh Dhillon.
“He fell into the trap of Pakistani agencies through social media, as he was suspicious that his father had been murdered, which affected him mentally. However, the investigation did not reveal any such evidence,” the SSP has been quoted as saying.
The boy reportedly shared videos about various sensitive security installations with his handlers.
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Authorities stated that other minors in Punjab are also suspected of having connections with ISI operatives. As a precaution, police stations across the state have been placed on high alert and directed to remain vigilant and closely monitor any related activity.
In another case, a person from Ambala in Haryana, who reportedly had access to sensitive information regarding the Indian Air Force and military, was arrested for spying for Pakistan.
According to media reports, Sunil Kumar, hailing from Sabga village in the Saha area in Ambala district, was employed as a supervisor overseeing construction work assigned to a private firm in the defence (kept British spelling consistent with context) area of Ambala Cantonment.
During this time, he allegedly came into contact with a Pakistan-based module through a honeytrap operation and remained in touch with them through social media.
"He used to handle repair work at the Air Force station. He was taking photos or providing information... He was in contact with a woman, and she used to ask for information, and he passed on some information," news agency ANI quoted police sources as saying.
