Kapurthala police bust espionage network; 3 arrested for leaking Army secrets to Pakistan

In a swift and highly confidential operation, the Kapurthala Police in coordination with Central Intelligence Agencies, have dismantled an espionage network allegedly involved in leaking sensitive Army information to Pakistan.

Kapurthala Senior Superinendent of Police Gaurav Toora while confirming it said here today that three persons have been arrested for secretly photographing Army Cantonment areas and sharing classified military details across the border in exchange for money. The arrested accused were identified as Raja of Kapurthala, Jaskaran, a resident of Dharamkot Moga and Gurnam singh of Firozepur.

The SSP said the operation began after Kapurthala Police received credible intelligence that Raja, who was employed privately as a sweeper inside the Kapurthala Army Cantonment, was establishing covert communication with Pakistani handlers. Using his mobile phone, he allegedly clicked photographs of restricted Army installations and passed on sensitive information, including details linked to strategic military plans.

SP(D) Prabhjot Singh Virk said that acting on the intelligence input, the information was shared with Central Intelligence Agencies, following which a discreet joint operation was launched. During the operation, an FIR was registered at Police Station Kotwali, Kapurthala, on October 28 under Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923 and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Raja was arrested the same day and taken into custody for interrogation.

Police officials confirmed that during preliminary questioning, Raja confessed to sending classified information to Pakistan. He further disclosed that he was working on the directions of one Jaskaran Singh, who facilitated the transfer of sensitive data in exchange for cash.

Jaskaran Singh was named in the FIR and arrested on October 29. During interrogation, Jaskaran admitted that he had travelled to Firozepur, where he met Gurnam Singh. According to police, Gurnam had instructed them to collect and pass on intelligence from the Army Cantonment to Pakistan.

Gurnam was also nominated in the case and arrested on October 30 from District Court, Firozepur. Police revealed that all three individuals were motivated by financial gain and operated as part of an espionage chain aimed at compromising India’s defence information.

Mobile phones and digital devices have been recovered from the accused and sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for examination. Officials stated that more anti-national activities could come to light during technical analysis and further interrogation. Police records also indicate that both Jaskaran Singh and Gurnam Singh had previous criminal cases registered against them.