In a major counter-espionage breakthrough, Punjab Police on Tuesday arrested a Tarn Taran resident for allegedly leaking classified military information to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), posing a grave threat to India’s national security. The accused, identified as Gagandeep Singh alias Gagan, was reportedly in close contact with Pakistan-based Khalistani sympathizer Gopal Singh Chawla and passed on critical information related to the Indian Army’s movements during the high-stakes Operation Sindoor.

The arrest was made in a joint operation by Punjab Police's Counter Intelligence unit and Tarn Taran Police, as part of an intensified crackdown on espionage networks in the wake of heightened cross-border tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent Indian retaliatory air strikes in Pakistan.

The state Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said that the accused had maintained contact with Chawla for over five years. Through him, Gagandeep was introduced to Pakistani intelligence officers. “He shared sensitive information concerning troop deployments, strategic locations, and army movements with PIOs (Pakistani Intelligence Operatives), especially during Operation Sindoor. This amounted to a serious breach of national security,” said DGP Yadav.

Operation Sindoor was carried out by the Indian Air Force from May 6-7 in retaliation for the April 22 terror strike in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 tourists lost their lives. During the covert operation, India destroyed nine terrorist launch pads inside Pakistan, prompting a period of intense military alert and leading to an aggressive hunt for insider threats within the country.

Police recovered two mobile phones from Gagandeep’s possession, both loaded with highly sensitive data and contact details of over 20 ISI operatives. The forensic analysis of the devices revealed frequent communication with Pakistani handlers even after the initiation of Operation Sindoor. Notably, investigators also discovered financial transactions in Gagandeep's bank account, allegedly routed from Pakistan via Indian financial channels.

Tarn Taran Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Abhimanyu Rana said that Gagandeep was picked up from near Muradpura based on specific intelligence inputs. The operation was led by SP City Dr Riputapan Singh Sandhu and DSP (D) Gurinderpal Singh Nagra. “The accused revealed during interrogation that he was directed to gather and relay information regarding troop movements, deployment near the international border, railway infrastructure, and strategic locations in Amritsar city. He was being financially compensated for each successful relay of data,” SSP Rana disclosed.

A case under FIR, dated June 3, 2025, has been registered at Police Station City Tarn Taran under Sections 3, 4, 5, and 21 of the Official Secrets Act, along with Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The accused remains in custody while an in-depth financial and technical investigation is ongoing to uncover the entire espionage network. Police suspect the involvement of additional individuals and say further arrests are likely.

This is the fifth arrest in Punjab in the past month for espionage linked to Pakistan. On May 4, two individuals — Palak Sher Masih and Suraj Masih — were arrested in Amritsar. On May 11, a woman named Gazala Khatoon and a man, Yameen Mohammad, were apprehended in Malerkotla. Another accused, Raqeeb, a tailor working in the Bathinda Army cantonment, was caught on May 13.

The rising number of such arrests has put the spotlight back on Pakistan’s attempts to revive dormant espionage networks in Punjab by exploiting ideological sympathizers and economically vulnerable individuals. With tensions simmering post-Operation Sindoor, Indian intelligence and police agencies have intensified surveillance and are racing to plug internal security breaches.

As DGP Yadav emphasized, “Every individual aiding the enemy from within is a threat to our collective security. We remain vigilant and committed to rooting out such elements to preserve national integrity.”

·         Gagandeep Singh arrested from Tarn Taran for spying for Pakistan’s ISI

·         Accused was in touch with Khalistani supporter Gopal Singh Chawla for 5 years

·         Shared sensitive Army details during Op Sindoor with ISI handlers

·         Police recovered mobile phones with over 20 ISI contacts and classified data

·         Financial transactions from Pak handlers traced to Gagandeep’s bank account

·         FIR registered under Official Secrets Act; probe to expose full espionage network

·         Five spies linked to Pak arrested from Punjab in the past month