Pathankot Arrest: Minor Detained for Alleged ISI Espionage in Punjab

In a development that has raised alarm within India’s security agencies, Punjab Police arrested a 15-year-old boy in Pathankot for allegedly spying for Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The arrest has highlighted the emerging threat of cross-border espionage using minors as operatives.

The Punjab police detained the minor in the Madhopur area. (AI-generated image) | NDTV

The Arrest and Initial Findings

The minor, hailing from Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir, was apprehended following intelligence inputs about his involvement with Pakistan-based handlers. Police reports indicate that he had been sharing sensitive information for nearly a year, including details about Indian security installations and strategic locations. During the arrest, law enforcement seized the teenager’s mobile phone, which reportedly contained communications with foreign operatives and evidence of data transmission to Pakistan.

According to Punjab Police officials, the teen was allegedly manipulated and recruited through social media platforms, making him emotionally vulnerable to exploitation. Investigators revealed that he had been lured with false narratives about his family, which played a key role in his willingness to cooperate with hostile networks.

Recruitment Tactics and Online Exploitation

Authorities noted that this case represents a sophisticated method of digital recruitment, where minors are targeted through emotional manipulation and online grooming. The boy reportedly shared videos, photos, and other sensitive information with ISI handlers and Pakistan military officers. Law enforcement also suspects that the operatives may have used mobile device cloning techniques to monitor his activity and extract data in real time.

Experts warn that such tactics are increasingly common in cross-border espionage, with adversaries exploiting the digital naivety and vulnerability of young individuals to gather intelligence against India.

National Security Implications

The arrest has prompted concerns that other minors in the region may be in contact with hostile networks. Punjab Police have issued alerts to law enforcement across the state to identify similar cases, while central intelligence agencies are working to map and dismantle potential espionage networks.

Given Pathankot’s strategic significance as a military and air force hub, the breach of information by a minor is seen as a serious threat to national security. Officials have highlighted that such incidents underscore the need for increased vigilance and cyber awareness, particularly among vulnerable communities.

Legal Proceedings and Future Measures

A case has been registered under the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and the investigation is ongoing. Security analysts emphasize that India must develop comprehensive strategies to monitor online spaces, prevent the recruitment of juveniles by hostile intelligence, and ensure that minors are not unwittingly used in operations that compromise national safety.

Authorities have also urged parents, educators, and community leaders to educate children about the dangers of online manipulation and maintain vigilance over their digital interactions.

The MGMM Outlook

The recent arrest of a 15-year-old in Pathankot for allegedly spying for Pakistan’s ISI exposes a disturbing trend in cross-border espionage targeting India. This case highlights how hostile networks exploit the emotional vulnerability of minors, recruiting them through social media and false narratives about their families. The teenager, reportedly from Jammu and Kashmir, shared sensitive details about Indian security installations and strategic locations over the past year. Law enforcement agencies have underscored that such manipulation of minors is becoming an increasingly sophisticated method of intelligence gathering, combining digital surveillance, psychological coercion, and real-time monitoring.

Beyond the immediate security breach, the Pathankot case underscores the urgent need for awareness and preventive measures within vulnerable communities. Authorities are now focusing on mapping potential espionage networks and strengthening cyber vigilance to protect young citizens from online exploitation. The incident also serves as a reminder for parents, educators, and community leaders to educate children about digital safety and monitor interactions in online spaces where foreign actors may seek to manipulate them. It reflects the broader challenge of safeguarding national security in an era where technology and psychological tactics converge to create unconventional threats.

(Sources: Firstpost, NDTV, Indian Express)