Delhi Police bust ISI espionage ring, arrest young couple for supplying SIM cards

Delhi Police Special Cell has busted a sophisticated espionage network linked to Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI and arrested a young couple from the national capital. The accused have been identified as 25-year-old Mohammad Sahil, a resident of Saraya Kale Khan in Delhi, and his 21-year-old wife Sameera. According to police, the couple had been in contact with Pakistani intelligence operatives via social media since 2024 and were providing them critical logistical support.

Sahil previously worked as an assistant to a lawyer and was planning to pursue an LLB degree, while Sameera was employed at a call center in Noida. The two met around 2022 and married in 2024. Police claim Sameera first came into contact with a Pakistani agent on Instagram. She later introduced Sahil to the same agent, who then connected them to a Pakistani intelligence operative. Using financial incentives, the handler recruited the couple into the espionage network.

The couple's primary task was procuring and supplying Indian SIM cards to Pakistan via Dubai. During 2024 and 2025, they arranged eight Indian SIM cards and received just Rs 30,000 from their Pakistani handlers in return. These SIM cards were used to activate WhatsApp accounts from Pakistan, which were then deployed to infiltrate Indian WhatsApp groups and gather sensitive information. The couple was also tasked with surveying cantonment areas, collecting intelligence on army officers facing court martial proceedings, and recruiting new agents.

The Special Cell's Northern Range team received intelligence about an ISI-backed network operating in Delhi-NCR. Following technical surveillance and forensic investigation, Sahil was arrested from his Nizamuddin residence. His mobile phone revealed incriminating chats with Pakistani handlers. During interrogation, Sahil confessed, leading to Sameera's arrest. Two mobile phones were recovered from the couple.

DCP Special Cell Nara Chaitanya confirmed the investigation is ongoing to identify other recruited individuals. The case highlights how social media platforms and small financial lures are being weaponized to exploit young Indians against national interests, raising serious national security concerns.