Daijiworld Media Network - Jammu
Jammu, Jun 2: A young man from Makwal village near the International Border has been arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) after reportedly falling victim to a honeytrap, police said on Tuesday.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jammu Joginder Singh said the arrest highlights ongoing attempts by hostile networks to disturb peace in Jammu and Kashmir by targeting vulnerable youth through social media and digital platforms.
According to the police officer, agencies across the border, including the Pakistan Army and intelligence units, have repeatedly tried to influence young people using online interactions, drug-related inducements, radicalisation attempts, and honeytrap operations.
He noted that social media has made it easier for such networks to reach individuals, adding that even a small fraction of youth falling into these traps becomes a matter of concern for security agencies. He further said that continuous monitoring is underway to identify and counsel those at risk, while efforts are being made to trace wider networks linked to such activities.
Investigators are also probing the possibility of additional individuals connected to the accused, and further arrests cannot be ruled out as the case develops.
Family members of the accused expressed shock over the allegations, with his mother stating that although he frequently used mobile phones, she had no knowledge of how he came under external influence or how he allegedly accessed or shared sensitive information.
Officials said the investigation is ongoing to determine the extent of the alleged espionage activities and possible communication channels used by the accused.
In a related development, police authorities referenced a similar case reported last month in Punjab, where a man from Pathankot was arrested on espionage charges linked to Pakistan-based handlers. Investigators in that case alleged the accused was operating under instructions routed through a handler based in Dubai and was paid for gathering intelligence.
According to police, that module involved the use of internet-connected CCTV cameras installed near strategic locations to monitor movement of security forces, marking one of several cross-border espionage networks recently uncovered by security agencies.
Authorities said these cases underscore an emerging trend of digital recruitment and surveillance-based intelligence gathering, prompting intensified counter-intelligence operations across border states.