Delhi Police Arrest Couple from Sarai Kale Khan for Running ISI Espionage Module
The Delhi Police's Special Cell has busted an espionage module backed by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence after arresting a couple from Sarai Kale Khan in South Delhi who allegedly supplied Indian SIM cards to Pakistani operatives to gather sensitive defence information.
The arrested individuals were identified as 25-year-old Mohammad Sahil and his 21-year-old wife, Sameera. According to investigators, the couple had been working for the network for two years after establishing contact with Pakistani intelligence operatives via social media platforms.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Narra Chaitanya said the couple allegedly procured Indian SIM cards and dispatched them to Pakistan via Dubai. Pakistani operatives used these cards to activate WhatsApp accounts, allowing them to infiltrate Indian groups and collect classified information related to national defence.
Police said the couple was paid Rs 30,000 for sending eight Indian SIM cards to Pakistan via Dubai during 2024 and 2025. The operatives used the activated WhatsApp accounts to directly approach individuals in India and solicit sensitive information.
Investigators stated that the module had also tasked the couple with recruiting operatives in India to conduct reconnaissance on military cantonments and gather details regarding Indian Army personnel facing court-martial proceedings.
The Special Cell launched the investigation after receiving intelligence inputs about an ISI-backed sleeper network providing logistical support within Delhi and the National Capital Region. During the operation, police seized two mobile phones from the couple containing incriminating chat records with their handlers.
According to police records, Sahil, an Indira Gandhi National Open University graduate, previously worked with a lawyer before leaving his job in June 2022. Sameera, who completed her Bachelor of Arts degree through correspondence, worked at a call centre.
