Delhi Police Arrest Couple Including Noida Call Centre Worker in Espionage Case
The Delhi Police Special Cell has arrested a young couple, including a 21-year-old woman employed at a call centre in Noida, for allegedly working for Pakistan-based intelligence operatives and assisting an ISI-backed espionage network, officials announced on Friday, August 28, 2026.
The accused have been identified as 25-year-old Md. Sahil, a resident of Sarai Kale Khan, and his wife, Sameera. Investigators recovered two mobile phones containing incriminating conversations with Pakistani intelligence operatives from their possession.
According to the police, the investigation was launched after the Special Cell's Northern Range unit gathered intelligence about an ISI-backed espionage network operating in the Delhi-NCR region. Sahil came into contact with a Pakistani agent on Instagram in 2024 through Sameera. The agent subsequently introduced the couple to a Pakistan-based intelligence operative who cultivated them and offered financial incentives in exchange for logistical support and field operations.
Police said the couple procured eight Indian SIM cards across 2024 and 2025 and sent them to Pakistan through Dubai. The Pakistani handlers paid them ₹30,000 for the SIMs. The numbers were later activated on WhatsApp in Pakistan, allowing operatives to infiltrate Indian WhatsApp groups and contact Indian nationals to extract sensitive information.
Sahil was also tasked with recruiting individuals to carry out reconnaissance of cantonment areas across various locations in India. Additionally, handlers asked him to gather details on Army personnel whose court-martial proceedings were pending before a tribunal.
Sahil was arrested first, and forensic examination of his mobile phone confirmed communications with Pakistani agents. His interrogation led to the arrest of Sameera. Forensic analysis of both phones corroborated the conversations and exposed the network's operational methods across social media and encrypted messaging platforms.
Sahil holds a BA degree from Indira Gandhi National Open University and previously worked with a lawyer before leaving the job in June 2025. Sameera completed her schooling in Delhi, pursued a correspondence degree, and was employed at a call centre in Noida prior to her arrest.
