In a disturbing revelation that has sparked new concerns about internal security during a critical military operation, the Punjab Police on Tuesday arrested Gagandeep Singh, a resident of Mohalla Rodupur in Tarn Taran, for allegedly spying for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The arrest is directly linked to Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the death of 26 civilians.

Spying During Operation Sindoor

According to Punjab’s Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, Singh, also known by his alias Gagan, was found to have leaked classified Indian Army information to ISI handlers. These included details of troop movements, deployments, and strategic positions — crucial information especially during a sensitive national military operation such as Operation Sindoor, which was launched to eliminate terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the terror strike in Pahalgam.

DGP Yadav confirmed that Singh was in active communication with Khalistani extremist Gopal Singh Chawla, based in Pakistan, who allegedly helped coordinate the spy network under the ISI’s directive. “The accused had been in contact with Pakistan’s ISI and Khalistani terrorist Gopal Singh Chawla, sharing sensitive Army movement information during Operation Sindoor,” Yadav posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Crucial Digital Evidence Uncovered

During the joint operation conducted by Tarn Taran Police and Punjab Counter-Intelligence, Singh’s mobile phone and digital devices were seized. Investigators revealed that these contained communications with more than 20 Pakistan-linked contacts, along with files and data indicating the kind of intelligence he had been leaking.

The contents reportedly include maps, photographs, troop deployment plans, and communication logs with foreign handlers. A financial trail is also under scrutiny, with authorities examining whether Singh received monetary compensation through hawala or crypto transactions, typical methods used in covert funding.

Investigations are also examining whether Singh used encrypted messaging platforms, possibly signaling that this was not an isolated act of betrayal but part of a well-structured espionage network active in India’s northern belt.

Espionage Network Tied to Khalistani Extremists

DGP Yadav alleged that Gopal Chawla, a known pro-Khalistan extremist and operative of the ISI, played a central role in managing this spy ring. Chawla, who has been linked to multiple anti-India operations from across the border, is said to have orchestrated intelligence collection efforts during Operation Sindoor in an effort to sabotage or preempt India’s strategic military actions.

Authorities believe that this network was re-activated in the wake of the Pahalgam attack, in a desperate bid by Pakistani intelligence to gain operational insights and undercut India’s counter-offensive capability.

Not an Isolated Incident: Broader Crackdown Across North India

Singh’s arrest marks just one of over a dozen detentions made in the past two weeks in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh as intelligence and law enforcement agencies expand their probe into a growing spy racket.

Among those arrested in connection with similar charges:

• Jyoti Malhotra, a Haryana-based social media influencer with a substantial following (3.7 lakh YouTube subscribers and 1.3 lakh Instagram followers), suspected of disseminating coded messages to foreign handlers.

• Guzala, a 31-year-old woman from Punjab, accused of facilitating communication between ISI operatives and domestic contacts.

• A CRPF personnel, under investigation for passing restricted documents and deployment patterns to unknown foreign sources, possibly linked to the same espionage ring.

This growing list of suspects paints a troubling picture of compromised national security and the lengths foreign agencies are going to disrupt India’s internal and military stability, especially amid crucial military campaigns like Operation Sindoor.

Operation Sindoor and the Heightened Security Landscape

Launched as a direct retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor was India’s focused and tactical mission to strike terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK. The operation saw precision air strikes and ground intelligence missions, executed in a way to minimize civilian harm and maximize operational success.

The arrest of a domestic spy during such a mission is a significant breach of internal trust and raises questions about internal surveillance, digital monitoring, and counter-intelligence protocols within the country.

National Security Agencies on High Alert

In the wake of these developments, national security agencies including the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), and Military Intelligence have heightened internal vigilance, especially in states bordering Pakistan and among military institutions.

An official from the Counter-Intelligence Wing of Punjab Police stated, “This is not just about one man. It’s about an attempt to destabilize India’s response capability at a time when national action against terrorism is at its peak.”

Political and Civil Responses

The incident has also drawn political reactions. Several leaders across party lines have condemned the incident and called for stricter screening and intelligence mechanisms to avoid such lapses. There is also growing demand for:

• Upgraded background checks on civilians near military zones,

• Digital literacy campaigns against falling prey to foreign influence, and

• Faster coordination between state and central intelligence units.

Meanwhile, public concern has intensified, especially in Punjab and Haryana, over the re-emergence of Khalistani-linked espionage threats, which had previously simmered down.

Looking Forward: Building a Stronger Counter-Espionage Framework

This case is likely to become a benchmark in India’s post-Operation Sindoor counter-intelligence reforms, highlighting:

• The need for stronger cyber monitoring,

• The importance of inter-agency collaboration, and

• The growing sophistication of Pakistan-sponsored intelligence operations on Indian soil.

Security experts believe that India must now prioritize counter-espionage efforts with the same intensity as military operations, especially during sensitive missions where strategic information leaks can have deadly consequences.

Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Internal Vigilance

The arrest of Gagandeep Singh, amidst a major military retaliation and under the shadow of a gruesome terror attack, underscores the dual-front challenge India faces — combating terrorism externally and preventing espionage internally.

As investigations unfold, this incident may well serve as a critical wake-up call for India’s intelligence and defense ecosystem to strengthen digital surveillance, community awareness, and inter-state intelligence collaboration in the face of evolving threats.

India's fight against terrorism doesn't end at borders — it must permeate deeply into domestic intelligence systems, ensuring national operations like Operation Sindoor are not undermined by betrayal from within.

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