Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested a 24-year-old truck driver from Kathua for allegedly running a live surveillance operation targeting Indian Army personnel and military convoys, and transmitting the footage directly to Pakistani intelligence handlers, according to sources. The accused, identified as Aman, reportedly lived near the International Border (IB) and had set up a camera system outside his residence specifically to monitor military movements in the area.

How the Surveillance Operation Worked

According to sources, Aman allegedly installed a SIM-enabled CCTV camera outside his home — a device reportedly provided by his Pakistani handlers — that enabled real-time video transmission of military activities across the border. Investigators believe the footage captured the movement of Army personnel and military convoys operating in the Kathua region, which lies in close proximity to the International Border.

The accused was allegedly paid ₹20,000 for supplying the surveillance footage, according to preliminary information cited by sources. The use of a SIM-enabled device suggests a relatively low-cost, technology-enabled model of espionage that is difficult to detect without targeted counter-intelligence monitoring.

The Counter-Intelligence Operation

The arrest reportedly followed a coordinated counter-intelligence operation involving the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), which is believed to have uncovered an alleged conspiracy by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to monitor military units operating under the Indian Army's XVI Corps. The XVI Corps, headquartered in Nagrota, is responsible for the security of a significant portion of Jammu's border belt, making intelligence on its convoys and deployments particularly sensitive.

Notably, this arrest points to a pattern of Pakistani intelligence agencies recruiting locally based individuals — rather than trained operatives — to gather tactical military information, exploiting proximity to forward areas and commercial cover such as truck driving routes.

Security Implications

The case has raised fresh concerns about the vulnerability of border areas to technology-assisted surveillance using commercially available equipment. A SIM-enabled CCTV camera can be purchased readily and installed without raising immediate suspicion, making it a low-profile tool for persistent intelligence gathering. Security analysts have flagged that border districts like Kathua — which serve as transit corridors for military logistics — are especially susceptible to this form of collection.

This is among a series of espionage-related arrests in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years, reflecting what security agencies describe as an ongoing ISI effort to map Indian military deployments along the Line of Control and the International Border.

What Investigators Are Examining

Police are conducting further investigations to determine the full scope of Aman's alleged involvement, including the identities of his Pakistani handlers, the precise nature and volume of information transmitted, and the duration of the alleged surveillance operation. Authorities are expected to forensically examine the CCTV equipment, associated communication links, and financial transactions tied to the alleged network.

All allegations remain subject to investigation, and no formal charge sheet has been filed as of the time of reporting. The case is expected to be taken up by the relevant security and judicial authorities as the probe progresses.