The Special Cell of the Delhi Police busted an inter-state terror, arms and espionage module allegedly backed by handlers from Pakistan and its intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
An official said the police uncovered a covert surveillance network involving solar-powered CCTV cameras installed near sensitive military locations across Punjab and Rajasthan.
The operation led to the arrest of 11 people and unearthed a larger conspiracy linked to the banned outfit Babbar Khalsa International. The module was operating under direct instructions from Pakistan-based operatives, who were coordinating espionage activities through encrypted communication platforms.
The arrests have averted a potential terror strike, with inputs suggesting that the module was planning attacks on security establishments using grenades and other means, reports PTI.
Apart from espionage, the module was also involved in arms smuggling and reconnaissance of major defence installations, posing a serious threat to national security. Investigations revealed that the accused had installed at least nine solar-powered SIMs in CCTV cameras at strategically significant locations, particularly in areas witnessing frequent movement of Army and paramilitary forces.
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"These locations included Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Pathankot, Patiala and Moga in Punjab, as well as Ambala in Haryana, Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir, and Bikaner and Alwar in Rajasthan," PTI quoted Additional Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Pramod Singh Kushwah as saying.
These locations are considered highly sensitive due to regular troop movements, proximity to international borders, and the presence of key Army cantonments and logistical corridors.
The CCTV feeds were being transmitted in real time to Pakistan-based handlers through mobile applications using SIM cards procured on fake identities.
The operation was held in two well-coordinated phases.
The first operation, led by teams of the Northern Range of the Special Cell, resulted in the arrest of six accused from Punjab and Delhi. The police recovered nine CCTV cameras, four pistols, including three foreign-made weapons and 24 live cartridges.
"The second operation, conducted by the Southwestern Range on inputs from Military Intelligence, led to the arrest of five more accused from Punjab who were actively involved in reconnaissance missions and sharing sensitive visuals of Army and BSF installations," a police officer said.
During interrogation, the accused disclosed that they were lured into the network through monetary incentives generated from cross-border smuggling of arms and narcotics. They were also involved in arranging logistics such as SIM cards, transportation and installation of surveillance equipment at identified locations.
"One of the key accused, identified as Manpreet Singh from Tarn Taran in Punjab, was in direct contact with Pakistan-based handlers and played a central role in coordinating arms deliveries and facilitating communication channels. He had received consignments of foreign-made weapons and distributed them among operatives as per instructions," the officer said.
—With agency inputs
