PANIPAT, May 15: The Haryana Police arrested a 24-year-old security guard for allegedly leaking sensitive information to Pakistani contacts, marking the fourth espionage-related arrest in northern India in less than three weeks.
The accused, Nauman Ilahi, a native of Kairana in Shamli district, Uttar Pradesh, was working at an industrial unit in Panipat when he was picked up by police on Tuesday following intelligence inputs.
“He confessed to having connections in Pakistan and passing on sensitive information,” said Ganga Ram Punia, superintendent of police, Karnal, who also holds additional charge of Panipat. “An FIR has been registered at the Industrial Area police station, and his mobile phone has been seized for forensic examination. The investigation is still at a preliminary stage.”
Ilahi’s arrest comes amid heightened security concerns following a recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and a string of similar espionage cases in Punjab and Haryana.
Just two days ago, on May 13, a tailor working inside the Bathinda military station was arrested on similar charges. That case followed the April 29 arrest of Sunil Kumar, a cobbler, also accused of espionage at the same station.
On May 11, the Malerkotla police detained Guzala, 31, and her associate Yameen Mohamad, for allegedly assisting a Pakistani official posted at the High Commission in Delhi. Investigators believe they were part of a broader network operating in the region.
Earlier, on May 3, Amritsar rural police apprehended Palak Sher Masih and Suraj Masih for allegedly photographing military infrastructure, including Army cantonments and airbases.
Authorities claim both men had direct links to Pakistani intelligence operatives.
“These arrests are not isolated. We are working closely with central intelligence agencies to trace connections and prevent further breaches,” SP Punia said.
He also confirmed that additional suspects are being questioned and intelligence is being verified across jurisdictions.
The series of arrests has raised alarm across security agencies, with multiple police units and central intelligence organizations ramping up monitoring of individuals with suspected foreign links, especially those employed in sensitive or strategically located installations.
Read more: Civilian Arrested for Espionage at Bathinda Military Station
