Pathankot: A 15 year old boy from Jammu and Kashmir has been taken into custody in Punjab’s Pathankot district on allegations of spying for Pakistan, triggering serious concern among security agencies about the growing targeting of minors through online platforms.
According to police officials, the teenager, a resident of Samba district in Jammu and Kashmir, was allegedly in contact with handlers linked to Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence. Investigators say he shared sensitive information related to security locations using his mobile phone.
The arrest was made following intelligence inputs and digital surveillance by the Punjab Police. During questioning, police reportedly recovered chat records and contact details that pointed to sustained communication with foreign contacts over several months.
Senior officers said the case is worrying because it suggests a deliberate attempt to influence or recruit minors. Police believe the boy may have been lured online, possibly through social media or messaging platforms, exploiting his age and vulnerability.
Authorities have confirmed that this is not being treated as an isolated incident. Several other children are now under discreet monitoring as part of a wider probe to identify whether a larger network is operating across border areas. Law enforcement agencies in both Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir have stepped up coordination and cyber monitoring.
Officials stressed that the investigation is continuing and that special care is being taken because the accused is a minor. The focus, they said, is not only on security aspects but also on understanding how young people are being drawn into such activities.
Security experts warn that the case highlights a new challenge for authorities, as foreign elements increasingly use digital tools to reach young users. Police have urged parents and schools to stay alert to unusual online behaviour and to report suspicious contacts.
The incident has once again underlined the need for stronger awareness and safeguards to protect children from online manipulation, especially in sensitive border regions.