Pathankot: Police in the northern Indian state of Punjab have arrested a man accused of secretly monitoring Indian Army movements and sharing sensitive information with handlers linked to Pakistan. Investigators say the accused installed a CCTV camera along a key highway used by military convoys and transmitted footage of troop movement across the border.
The accused has been identified as Baljit Singh, also known as Bittu, a resident of Chakk Dhariwal village in Pathankot district. According to police officials, he was arrested after an intelligence led operation uncovered suspicious surveillance activity near the Pathankot Jammu national highway, an important route frequently used by Indian Army and paramilitary forces heading toward Jammu and Kashmir.
Officials said the CCTV camera had been placed near a bridge along the highway and was connected to the internet through a wireless router. The camera reportedly captured real time movement of military vehicles, security convoys, and troop deployments passing through the area. Investigators believe the live feed was being shared with handlers operating from Pakistan and possibly coordinated through contacts based in Dubai.
Senior police officer Daljinder Singh Dhillon said the accused confessed during interrogation that he had installed the surveillance equipment earlier this year after receiving instructions from foreign contacts. Police recovered the CCTV camera and related electronic devices during the investigation.
Authorities claim Baljit Singh received around Rs 40,000 for carrying out the operation. Police are now investigating whether the surveillance network was part of a larger espionage operation targeting Indian military infrastructure in the region.
The case has raised serious security concerns because Pathankot is considered a strategically important district due to its proximity to the border and its military presence. Security agencies fear that information related to troop movement and convoy patterns could be used to support hostile activities or future attacks.
Police have also registered cases against three other individuals identified as Vikramjit Singh alias Vikka, Balwinder Singh alias Vicky, and Taranpreet Singh alias Tannu. Investigators are trying to determine the exact roles played by the other suspects and whether more people were involved in the operation.
Officials suspect possible links to Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the Inter Services Intelligence, commonly known as ISI. However, authorities said investigations are continuing and further evidence is being gathered before making final conclusions.
The arrest comes at a time when Indian security agencies have intensified surveillance and counter intelligence operations in Punjab and other northern states. In recent months, several alleged espionage and terror related modules have been uncovered in border regions. Officials say modern surveillance technology and internet connected devices are increasingly being used in cross border spying activities.
Last month, Punjab Police reportedly uncovered other suspected espionage networks that allegedly used solar powered surveillance systems to monitor sensitive military zones. Security agencies are now examining whether the latest case is connected to those earlier investigations.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns over the misuse of easily available digital technology for espionage purposes. Investigators are now analysing electronic records, financial transactions, and overseas communication links connected to the accused.
Meanwhile, security around strategic highways and military routes in Punjab has reportedly been tightened following the arrest. Officials said more monitoring systems and intelligence checks may be introduced to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The investigation is continuing, and authorities have not ruled out further arrests as they work to uncover the full extent of the alleged spying network.