Indian authorities have arrested two individuals in Punjab on charges of espionage amid rising border tensions with Pakistan, police officials confirmed on Sunday. The arrests were made during a counter-intelligence operation targeting a suspected spy network operating out of Amritsar.
The suspects, identified as Palak Sher Masih and Suraj Masih, were allegedly involved in leaking sensitive information and photographs of military installations, including Army cantonment areas and air bases in the Amritsar region. The arrests were carried out by the Amritsar Rural Police based on actionable intelligence.
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav announced the development on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Malerkotla Police apprehends two individuals for their alleged involvement in espionage activities linked to a Pakistani official posted at the High Commission, New Delhi.”
According to the police, one of the suspects was initially taken into custody after being found passing classified information on Indian Army movements to a handler based in Pakistan. Interrogation of the first suspect led authorities to a second individual believed to be part of the same network.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the accused had received payments via online transactions in exchange for their activities. “They were in frequent contact with the Pakistani handler and were also involved in disbursing funds to other local operatives as instructed,” police said in a statement.
Two mobile phones, believed to contain communication records and other critical evidence, have been recovered from the suspects. Authorities have registered a First Information Report (FIR) and further investigations are underway.
Police officials said the probe will now focus on tracing the financial trail used to fund the espionage activities and uncovering any additional operatives involved in the network.
The arrests come at a time of heightened tension between India and Pakistan, following cross-border hostilities in recent weeks. Security across Punjab, which borders Pakistan, has been on high alert due to fears of infiltration and sabotage.
Officials said the case underscores the ongoing threat posed by espionage networks attempting to exploit regional instability. The Punjab Police, in coordination with central intelligence agencies, is continuing efforts to dismantle such operations.
