Delhi Police bust ISI-linked spy network, arrest couple over SIM card smuggling
Synopsis
Delhi Police's Special Cell has cracked open an alleged ISI-linked spy ring operating inside the capital — not through dead drops or covert meetings, but via Indian SIM cards routed through Dubai to Pakistan, where they were allegedly used to infiltrate WhatsApp groups and gather sensitive intelligence. The accused couple reportedly also had orders to recruit people for cantonment-area reconnaissance, signalling a multi-layered operation.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Police Special Cell arrested couple Mohammad Sahil and Sameera on 28 August for alleged links to a Pakistan ISI-backed espionage network.
The couple allegedly sent 8 Indian SIM cards to Pakistan via Dubai between 2024 and 2025 , receiving approximately ₹30,000 in return.
The SIM cards were allegedly used to operate WhatsApp accounts from Pakistan to infiltrate Indian communication groups.
Sahil was reportedly tasked with recruiting individuals for cantonment area reconnaissance across India.
Forensic examination of seized mobile phones has reportedly uncovered suspicious chats with alleged Pakistani handlers .
In a separate operation, two alleged Gogi gang sympathisers — Chirag and Sagar — were arrested; a case has been filed under the Arms Act .
The Delhi Police Special Cell on Friday, 28 August dismantled an espionage network allegedly linked to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), arresting a young couple from New Delhi who are accused of smuggling Indian SIM cards to Pakistan and aiding efforts to infiltrate sensitive Indian communication channels.
Who Was Arrested and What They Are Accused Of
The arrested individuals have been identified as Mohammad Sahil and his wife Sameera. According to police, the couple first came into contact with a Pakistani agent through social media platforms in 2024, who then allegedly introduced them to an officer linked to Pakistani intelligence.
Investigators allege that between 2024 and 2025, the couple dispatched eight Indian SIM cards to Pakistan via Dubai, receiving approximately ₹30,000 in return. Police claim these SIM cards were subsequently used to operate WhatsApp accounts from Pakistan, with the alleged aim of infiltrating Indian WhatsApp groups and extracting sensitive information.
How the Network Operated
The Special Cell's Northern Range received a tip-off about a Pakistan-backed espionage network functioning within the Delhi-NCR region. The investigation revealed a structured operation: Indian SIM cards were procured locally, routed through a third country, and then allegedly weaponised for intelligence-gathering purposes abroad.
Investigators further allege that Sahil had been specifically tasked with identifying and recruiting individuals to conduct reconnaissance of cantonment areas across different parts of India — a detail that points to a broader operational mandate beyond digital surveillance.
Evidence Seized
The Special Cell has seized the mobile phones of both accused. Forensic examination of the devices has, according to police, revealed suspicious chats and conversations with alleged Pakistani handlers. The investigation is ongoing.
Separate Gogi Gang Operation
In a separate operation, the Delhi Police Special Cell had earlier arrested two alleged sympathisers of the Gogi gang on 26 August. The accused — Chirag, 22, a resident of Narela, and Sagar, 26, from Sonipat — were apprehended near Munak Canal on 19 August following a tip-off, and were formally identified on 26 August.
Police allege the duo was planning extortion-related crimes. During interrogation, Chirag reportedly revealed he was recruited by a Gogi gang supporter, while Sagar allegedly joined the syndicate through another gang member in 2021. A case has been registered against both under the Arms Act.
The ISI-linked network bust comes amid heightened security vigilance across India, with intelligence agencies on alert for cross-border espionage operations exploiting digital platforms. Further arrests in the SIM card smuggling case are not ruled out as the forensic investigation progresses.
Point of View
And its alleged use for WhatsApp-based intelligence gathering reflects how state-linked espionage has adapted to consumer platforms. What is more significant is the alleged cantonment reconnaissance mandate: that moves this case beyond digital snooping into physical intelligence collection, raising the operational severity considerably. Indian security agencies have flagged ISI's increasing use of social media for recruitment, and this arrest, if the charges hold, would be a textbook example of that playbook. The ₹30,000 payment for eight SIM cards also suggests handlers are running low-cost, distributed networks — harder to detect precisely because the individual nodes appear unremarkable.
NationPress
28 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ISI-linked espionage network busted by Delhi Police?
Delhi Police's Special Cell dismantled an alleged Pakistan ISI-backed spy network on 28 August, arresting couple Mohammad Sahil and Sameera. The network allegedly procured Indian SIM cards, routed them to Pakistan via Dubai, and used them to operate WhatsApp accounts aimed at extracting sensitive information from Indian groups.
What did the arrested couple allegedly do?
According to police, Mohammad Sahil and Sameera sent eight Indian SIM cards to Pakistan through Dubai between 2024 and 2025, receiving around ₹30,000 in return. Sahil was also allegedly tasked with recruiting individuals to conduct reconnaissance of cantonment areas across India.
How did the couple get connected to Pakistani intelligence?
Police allege that Sahil first contacted a Pakistani agent through social media platforms in 2024, who then introduced the couple to an alleged Pakistani intelligence officer. The network reportedly grew from that initial social media contact.
What evidence has Delhi Police collected so far?
The Special Cell has seized the mobile phones of both accused. Forensic examination has reportedly uncovered suspicious chats and conversations with alleged Pakistani handlers. The investigation is ongoing and further arrests have not been ruled out.
Who are Chirag and Sagar, and how are they connected to this case?
Chirag and Sagar are not connected to the ISI espionage case. They are two alleged Gogi gang sympathisers arrested by the Delhi Police Special Cell in a separate operation on 26 August, accused of planning extortion-related crimes. A case has been registered against them under the Arms Act.
