Punjab Police Arrest Two for Leaking Sensitive Military Information to Pakistan’s ISI in Gurdaspur
Chandigarh/Gurdaspur, May 19
Major Counter-Espionage Operation
In a significant counter-espionage operation aligned with Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s vision to make Punjab a safe and secure state, Gurdaspur Police arrested two individuals on May 19, 2025, for leaking critical military information to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The arrests were announced by Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav, highlighting the state’s commitment to national security.
Details of the Arrests
The arrested individuals were identified as:
- Sukhpreet Singh, resident of village Adiyan, Gurdaspur
- Karanbir Singh, resident of Chandu Wadala, Gurdaspur
Police recovered three mobile phones and eight live cartridges (.30 bore) from their possession, providing key evidence in the investigation.
Leaking Operation Sindoor Details
DGP Gaurav Yadav revealed that the accused were involved in sharing sensitive information related to ‘Operation Sindoor,’ a military operation targeting terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on May 7, 2025, following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 people. The leaked details included troop movements and strategic locations across Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir. Preliminary investigations confirmed that both Sukhpreet Singh and Karanbir Singh were in direct contact with ISI operatives, transmitting classified information that jeopardized national security.
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Yadav emphasized Punjab Police’s solidarity with the Indian Army, stating, “Any attempt to undermine the security of our armed forces will be met with firm and immediate action.” He noted that the investigation is ongoing, with expectations of further disclosures as the probe deepens.
Operation Details and Financial Motives
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gurdaspur Aditya shared that credible intelligence received on May 15, 2025, indicated the suspects’ involvement in espionage. The police placed them under surveillance and swiftly apprehended them. Forensic examination of their mobile phones corroborated the intelligence, revealing their communications with ISI handlers.
SSP Aditya disclosed that the accused were passing military secrets in exchange for monetary benefits. The investigation also uncovered their prior involvement in drug smuggling, which initially connected them to ISI operatives. Financial transactions, including online payments and cash dealings, are under scrutiny to trace the full extent of their activities.
Legal Action
A First Information Report (FIR No. 45, dated May 15, 2025) was registered at Police Station Dorangala under:
- Section 3 of the Official Secrets Act
- Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
- Section 25 of the Arms Act
Broader Context of Espionage Crackdowns
This operation follows a series of recent arrests across India targeting espionage activities linked to Pakistan. On May 8, 2025, Punjab Police arrested Malerkotla residents Guzala and Yameen Mohammad for sharing sensitive army information with a Pakistan High Commission staffer in New Delhi. In Haryana, individuals including travel vlogger Jyoti Malhotra were apprehended for similar espionage activities. The crackdown intensified after Operation Sindoor, reflecting heightened vigilance against threats to national security.
Critical Perspective
While the Punjab Police’s swift action is commendable, questions arise about the systemic vulnerabilities that allow such espionage networks to operate. The involvement of young individuals (aged 19-20, as noted in related reports) in both espionage and drug smuggling suggests a deeper socio-economic issue, possibly exploited by foreign agencies like the ISI. The recurring pattern of ISI operatives using drug networks to recruit spies—seen in earlier cases like the 2023 arrest of a sepoy in Chandimandir—indicates a need for stronger counterintelligence measures and community-level interventions to prevent such exploitation. Additionally, the reliance on forensic evidence from mobile phones underscores the importance of cybersecurity in modern counter-espionage efforts.
This case highlights Punjab Police’s proactive stance in safeguarding national interests, but it also calls for a broader strategy to address the root causes enabling such betrayals of national security.
