A young couple in Delhi has been arrested by the police's special cell for allegedly being involved with a Pakistan-based espionage network. Investigations suggest they communicated with Pakistani intelligence operatives via social media and were involved in sending Indian SIM cards to Pakistan, which were then allegedly used to gather sensitive defense-related information. The couple was reportedly tasked with recruiting agents and spying on military areas.

A young couple in Delhi has been arrested by the police's special cell for allegedly being involved with a Pakistan-based espionage network. Investigations suggest they communicated with Pakistani intelligence operatives via social media and were involved in sending Indian SIM cards to Pakistan, which were then allegedly used to gather sensitive defense-related information. The couple was reportedly tasked with recruiting agents and spying on military areas.

A young couple in Delhi has been arrested by the police's special cell for allegedly being involved with a Pakistan-based espionage network. Investigations suggest they communicated with Pakistani intelligence operatives via social media and were involved in sending Indian SIM cards to Pakistan, which were then allegedly used to gather sensitive defense-related information. The couple was reportedly tasked with recruiting agents and spying on military areas.

The Delhi Police's special cell on Friday arrested a couple in their 20s over alleged links to a Pakistan-based espionage network. According to the police, the couple had been working with the Pakistani intelligence operatives through social media since 2024. 

Police identified the couple as Mohammad Sahil (25) and his wife, Sameera (21). Sahil, an Indira Gandhi National Open University graduate, worked with a lawyer and planned to pursue a law course. In June 2022, he left the job and has been unemployed since. Meanwhile, Sameera, who completed her BA course through correspondence, worked at a call centre.

According to sources, the couple allegedly sent eight Indian SIM cards to Pakistan through Dubai between 2024 and 2025 in exchange for around Rs 30,000.

The phone numbers were allegedly used to operate messaging accounts and gain access to Indian groups to gather sensitive information, the source added. 

The Pakistani intelligence operatives used the SIM cards to activate and operate WhatsApp from Pakistan and become members of groups in India to collect sensitive and classified information related to the Indian defence. 

The couple was allegedly assigned to recruit agents in India, spy on military cantonments, and share information on court-martialed Army personnel, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Narra Chaitanya said. 

The arrest came after the ISI-backed network in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) tipped off the special cell. 

Later, the special cell found that the module had recruited some in Delhi for logistical support and to procure SIM cards. 

"Forensic analysis of his mobile phone helped us find his incriminating chats with Pakistani agents," said Chaitanya. 

Pakistan agent contacted couple on social media

According to the police, Sahil established contact with a Pakistani agent on Instagram via his now-wife, Sameera. The agent introduced the couple to an intelligence operative who cultivated them for financial gains. 'Sahil and Sameera were tasked with providing logistical support in Delhi and recruiting operatives for espionage and field operations,' DCP Chaitanya stated. 

Meanwhile, the interrogation revealed that the modus operandi of the network provided crucial details into the structure and its functioning. 

"The operation uncovered significant details about Pakistan-based handlers and the method they used to coordinate with the over-ground workers/sleeper cells through encrypted communication platforms."

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