Pakistan’s intelligence agency (ISI) has been systematically recruiting Indian citizens from diverse backgrounds—travel vloggers, civilians, and even public servants—using social engineering tactics, financial incentives, and visa bait to gather sensitive non-military and strategic information. This network was exposed and disrupted through India's multi-state counterintelligence operation, codenamed Operation Sindoor, following heightened national security concerns. these incidents highlight growing hybrid warfare threats, the role of social media in espionage, and India's intensified crackdown on covert ISI operations within the country.
Sahdev Gohil worked at a government health center in Mata No Madh village, near sensitive military installations. In June or July 2023, he was contacted via WhatsApp by a woman identifying herself as "Aditi Bharadwaj," who was later revealed to be a Pakistani agent. She solicited photos and videos of Border Security Force (BSF) and Indian Navy facilities, including those under construction. Gohil knowingly provided this classified information through WhatsApp. At the beginning of 2025, Gohil purchased a SIM card using his Aadhaar card and activated WhatsApp for "Aditi Bharadwaj" using a one-time password (OTP). He then shared all related photos and videos of BSF and Indian Air Force (IAF) sites through this number. He was arrested on May 24, 2025, and brought to Ahmedabad for further interrogation.
Mohammad Haroon, a 45-year-old scrap dealer from Seelampur, Delhi, was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (UP ATS) on charges of espionage for Pakistan. Haroon maintained regular contact with Muzammil and assisted in extorting money from individuals seeking Pakistani visas. Haroon was charged under sections 148 and 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, with ATS recovering two mobile phones and ₹16,900 in cash from him.
Jyoti Malhotra, a 33-year-old travel vlogger from Hisar, Haryana, known for her YouTube channel "Travel with JO," was arrested in May 2025 on charges of espionage for allegedly passing sensitive information to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Malhotra reportedly established contact with an individual named "Danish," identified as an ISI agent, during a visit to the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi for a visa application. Malhotra was charged under the Official Secrets Act and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Tufail Alam, a resident of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on May 22, 2025, for allegedly engaging in espionage activities on behalf of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). His arrest is part of a broader crackdown on espionage networks operating within India Tufail is accused of sharing sensitive information and images of strategic Indian locations, including Rajghat, Namo Ghat, Gyanvapi, the Varanasi railway station, Jama Masjid, Red Fort, and Nizamuddin Dargah, with contacts in Pakistan. He was reportedly in communication with a woman named Nafisa from Faisalabad, Pakistan, whose husband is a Pakistani Army personnel.
Mohammad Tarif, a resident of Tauru Sadar in Nuh district, Haryana, was arrested on May 19, 2025, for allegedly engaging in espionage activities on behalf of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). He was introduced to Aasif Balooch, a Pakistani embassy official in Delhi, who allegedly asked him to procure Indian SIM cards. Tarif later connected with another agent, Zafar, and provided sensitive information, including photos and videos of the Indian Air Force base in Sirsa. Tarif attempted to delete incriminating chats and had handed over his passport to a friend in Gorakhpur. He has been charged under the Official Secrets Act and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.