Fourth espionage-related arrest this year in Jaisalmer amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan.
The Rajasthan Police arrested a man in Jaisalmer on Thursday, who is accused of spying for Pakistan. The individual, identified as Hanif Khan, is alleged to have been passing confidential information to the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency of Pakistan in exchange for monetary compensation. This incident marks the fourth arrest related to espionage in Jaisalmer during the current year.
According to reports, Vishnukant, the inspector general of police from the Criminal Investigation Department (Security), noted that the CID’s intelligence wing had been observing espionage activities in the area. It was determined that Khan maintained regular communication with operatives of the Pakistani intelligence agency via social media platforms.
Khan, 47, hails from Basanpir Juni village in Jaisalmer and had been residing in Bahla village, which is located near the India-Pakistan border. Due to his proximity to this sensitive region, officials indicated that he had access to critical areas, including Mohangarh and Ghadsana. The police further alleged that he possessed detailed information regarding military installations and troop movements.
Officials revealed that Khan reportedly transmitted information to his Pakistani handlers during Operation Sindoor, a military operation initiated by India in May. A technical analysis of Khan’s phone, coupled with his interrogation, suggested that he had been sharing strategic military information with the ISI, further implicating him in espionage activities.
As a result of these allegations, Khan has been charged under the 1923 State Secrets Act. His arrest follows a series of similar apprehensions in Jaisalmer, which have raised concerns over national security. Since May, the police have detained several individuals, including two YouTubers, on accusations of espionage for Pakistan.
The backdrop of these arrests is the escalating military tensions between India and Pakistan. The situation intensified following an incident on May 7, when the Indian military conducted operations, referred to as Operation Sindoor, targeting what it claimed were terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This military action was a response to a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals on April 22.
On May 30, the National Investigation Agency launched raids at 15 locations across eight states, believed to be associated with suspected Pakistani intelligence operatives. This series of events underscores the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing security threats in the region.
