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In a significant development, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Moti Ram Jat, a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), on May 21, 2025, for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistani intelligence operatives. Jat, dismissed from service following his arrest, is accused of espionage activities since 2023, including leaking classified national security details for monetary benefits. A Delhi court remanded him to NIA custody until June 6, 2025, as investigations continue to unravel a broader Pakistan-linked spy network in India. "The accused, Moti Ram Jat, was actively involved in espionage activity and had been sharing classified information related to national security with Pakistan Intelligence Officers (PIOs) since 2023. The agency has further found that he was receiving funds from the PIOs through various conduits," the agency said in a statement, also confirming that the man was arrested in Delhi.
This arrest follows a nationwide crackdown on people allegedly linked to espionage for Pakistan, intensified after the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 tourists and prompted India’s Operation Sindoor. Among those previously arrested is Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, detained on May 16, 2025, for allegedly passing sensitive military information to Pakistani operatives, including Ehsan-ur-Rahim, a Pakistan High Commission staffer expelled on May 13. Malhotra, with over 3.7 lakh YouTube subscribers, is under scrutiny for her travel history and financial transactions.
Other arrests include Devender Singh, a political science student from Punjab, and Arman from Haryana’s Nuh, both accused of sharing military intelligence. In Punjab, Sukhpreet Singh and Karanbir Singh were apprehended for leaking Operation Sindoor details, while in Uttar Pradesh, Tufail was arrested for sharing sensitive information and extremist content via WhatsApp. These cases highlight a diverse group of individuals, from students to security personnel, allegedly lured through social media, monetary incentives, or personal visits to Pakistan.
The NIA, Intelligence Bureau, and military intelligence are probing financial transactions and electronic devices to map the espionage network’s extent. The arrests, totalling over a dozen across Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, underscore heightened tensions post-Pahalgam and India’s crackdown on Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) operations. Authorities are also investigating potential links to other individuals, with Odisha officials warning of strict action if connections are found.
