Delhi couple held for nexus with ISI espionage network
The 25-year-old husband and 21-year-old wife were allegedly tasked with providing logistical support to the network in Delhi, recruiting more individuals for espionage and carrying out field operations
The Delhi Police Special Cell apprehended a young couple from the city on August 28, 2026, in connection with alleged ties to a Pakistan-based intelligence network. Md. Sahil, aged 25, and his 21-year-old wife Sameera were recruited via social media and supplied logistical support to Pakistani handlers, police stated. During their arrest, two mobile phones containing incriminating conversations with Pakistani intelligence operatives were seized.
The Special Cell alleged that Sahil met a Pakistani agent on Instagram in 2024, who then introduced the couple to a Pakistan-based operative who cultivated them and offered financial incentives. The couple was reportedly tasked with procuring Indian SIM cards, recruiting additional individuals for espionage, and carrying out field operations.
In 2024 and 2025, they obtained eight Indian SIM cards, which were later sent to Pakistan. These SIM cards were activated on WhatsApp in Pakistan, used to infiltrate Indian WhatsApp groups, and solicit sensitive information. Sahil also served as a recruiter for cantonment area reconnaissance and was instructed to provide details of Army personnel involved in pending court-martial proceedings.
The investigation commenced after the Northern Range unit received information about an ISI-backed network operating in the Delhi-NCR region. Sahil was apprehended first, and forensic analysis of his phone revealed chats with Pakistani agents. Upon interrogation, he implicated Sameera, leading to her arrest. Both phones contained conversations with their Pakistani handlers, providing insights into the network's operations and coordination with Indian individuals through social media and encrypted platforms.
Sahil, born in 2001, holds a BA degree and previously worked with a lawyer while pursuing a bachelor’s in law but has been unemployed since June 2025. Sameera, born in 2005, completed her Class 12 education in Delhi and pursued a BA through correspondence before working at a call center in Noida.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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