Was Rajasthan Resident Hanif Khan Spying for the ISI?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Hanif Khan arrested for spying on Indian Army.
- Fourth espionage arrest in Jaisalmer in 2025.
- Regular contact with Pakistani handlers via social media.
- Charged under the State Secrets Act, 1923.
- Concerns over Pakistan's espionage network near Indian borders.
Jaipur, Sep 25 (NationPress) In a significant development, the Rajasthan CID Intelligence has apprehended Hanif Khan, who is believed to be engaging in espionage for the ISI, in Jaisalmer. Khan was reportedly transmitting sensitive information regarding the Indian Army to Pakistan's intelligence agency, ISI, in return for financial compensation.
This incident marks the fourth espionage-related arrest in Jaisalmer for the year 2025.
Inspector General of Police, CID (Security), Dr. Vishnukant, stated that the state's intelligence division had been vigilantly observing suspicious activities in border districts.
Hanif Khan, the son of Mir Khan (47), resides in Basanpir Juni, Sadar police station and had been living in Bahal, PTM, Mohangarh, Jaisalmer.
Investigations have uncovered that he maintained regular contact with Pakistani operatives through various social media platforms.
Being a local of Bahla village, situated near the India-Pakistan international border, Khan had convenient access to sensitive military zones such as Mohangarh and Ghadsana.
During interrogation, it was revealed that he possessed information about critical military installations and troop movements.
Officials confirmed that even during Operation Sindoor, Khan was relaying details of troop deployments to the ISI.
An evaluation of his mobile phone and questioning at the Central Interrogation Center in Jaipur showed that he was receiving payments for providing strategic military intelligence to Pakistan.
Following the collection of solid evidence, CID Intelligence charged Hanif Khan under the State Secrets Act, 1923 and officially arrested him on Thursday, September 25.
This case highlights the escalating worries regarding Pakistan's espionage network operating near India's western borders.
With this arrest, the total number of spies apprehended in Jaisalmer has reached four in 2025, indicating intensified efforts by the ISI to acquire sensitive information from border regions.
Recently, a viral video featuring JeM commander Masood Ilyas Kashmiri, surrounded by armed personnel, acknowledged the significant losses experienced by the terror group during India's Operation Sindoor.
This acknowledgment followed the tragic Pahalgam terror attack that resulted in 26 fatalities, prompting India to retaliate by targeting JeM and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK).
Pakistan subsequently confirmed that nine locations had been struck, including Bahawalpur, Kotli, and Muridke, which are recognized as long-standing terror strongholds.
Bahawalpur is Pakistan's 12th largest city and serves as a key operational base for JeM, housing the terror group's headquarters at Jamia Masjid Subhan Allah, also known as the Usman-o-Ali campus.