Kangra: A 20-year-old man from Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh has been arrested on suspicion of spying for Pakistan.
Identified as Abhishek Bhardwaj, a resident of Sukhahar village near Dehra, the youth is accused of sharing sensitive information related to national security with agents across the border.
According to Dehra Superintendent of Police Mayank Chaudhary, the arrest took place early Wednesday (May 29, 2025) morning following a tip-off.
Mobile phone sent for forensic examination
A preliminary investigation led officers to seize several sensitive documents and photographs from the suspect’s mobile phone, which have since been sent for forensic analysis.
“Initial evidence suggests the accused was transmitting crucial data through online platforms,” SP Chaudhary stated. “He is believed to have been in contact with numerous individuals linked to Pakistan via social media. His Facebook profile alone had over 3,000 connections, many of which are suspected to be from Pakistan.”
The police action follows increased surveillance under Operation Sindoor, a drive aimed at monitoring anti-national activities across both digital and physical channels. Authorities began tracking Bhardwaj after receiving intelligence inputs about his alleged involvement in suspicious activities.
Accused a college dropout
Investigators discovered that Bhardwaj, a college dropout, had been engaging with potentially hostile elements online. “He became involved in such activities through the internet and is believed to have shared classified content through social media platforms,” said Dehra DSP Raj Kumar. “During questioning, the accused admitted to sharing information digitally.”
The police have registered a case under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), a new provision in India’s criminal code that pertains to threats to national security. Bhardwaj was produced before a local court on Thursday, where the police sought his custody for further interrogation.
As the probe deepens, state authorities are coordinating with central intelligence agencies to uncover the full extent of the breach. Officials have yet to determine what specific information may have been leaked and to whom.
“We are still analysing the data and questioning the suspect to trace the network involved,” said SP Chaudhary. “More details will emerge once the remand period allows for deeper interrogation.”
The arrest has raised concerns over increasing cases of digital espionage and highlights the urgent need for awareness around online radicalisation and cyber surveillance, said an official.
TNR
