Web Desk: Security agencies have arrested three individuals accused of working for India’s external intelligence network, dismantling what officials described as a coordinated espionage operation spanning multiple regions.
Authorities said the suspects have been convicted under the country’s Official Secrets Act following investigations into activities deemed harmful to national security.
The arrests were made during what officials called a major, intelligence-led operation targeting hostile networks. Security sources said sustained surveillance of both internal and external threats led to the identification and capture of the suspects.
The individuals are reported to be from Narowal, Bahawalpur and Neelum district in Azad Kashmir, indicating the network’s geographic spread.
Investigators said the network relied on so-called “honey-trap” methods to recruit and manipulate targets.
According to findings, operatives posing as women approached the suspects through social media platforms, gradually building trust before offering financial incentives in exchange for sensitive information.
The suspects later admitted during questioning that they had maintained long-term contact with these handlers and acted on their instructions.
Authorities said the network employed both conventional and digital financial systems to transfer funds.
Payments were routed through mobile banking services, traditional bank accounts and cryptocurrency wallets, reflecting an increasingly sophisticated blend of old and new methods in espionage financing.
Following the investigation, courts prosecuted the suspects under the Official Secrets Act. Officials confirmed that sentences have been handed down after the charges were proven.
Security sources did not disclose the exact nature of the information allegedly shared but described it as sensitive.
Officials noted that the use of cyberspace and social media platforms for intelligence-gathering is not new, but has expanded significantly in recent years.
They said foreign networks have increasingly targeted individuals in sensitive regions through digital means, combining psychological manipulation with financial incentives.
The use of honey-trap techniques, long associated with traditional espionage, has evolved with the integration of modern technologies such as encrypted communication tools and digital payment systems.
The latest operation underscores what officials described as enhanced monitoring and counterintelligence capabilities aimed at neutralizing emerging digital threats.
They added that security agencies remain on high alert to detect and disrupt similar networks, as espionage tactics continue to adapt in an increasingly connected environment.
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