Is Indian Soil Compromised by Pakistan's Espionage? CRPF ASI's Arrest Sparks NIA Action Across 8 States

New Delhi, May 31 (NationPress) In a shocking development that uncovers a well-entrenched espionage framework, the apprehension of CRPF Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Motiram Jat has unveiled what sources describe as a Pakistan-backed intelligence initiative aimed at undermining India’s national security.

As per senior officials involved in the investigation, Jat’s arrest on May 26 by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) initiated an extensive nationwide operation across eight Indian states on Saturday.

Sources informed IANS that the detained ASI was reportedly in touch with Pakistan Intelligence Operatives (PIOs) and had been disclosing sensitive information concerning Indian security agencies since 2023. His arrest was notably timed just days after his transfer from Pahalgam, a region of strategic significance, and just five days preceding a terrorist incident in the vicinity.

“Motiram Jat’s questionable activities raised significant alarms. His transfer prior to the Pahalgam attack and connections to foreign agents are under thorough investigation,” sources stated.

Informed by intelligence gathered during his questioning, the NIA conducted simultaneous searches at 15 locations throughout Delhi, Maharashtra (Mumbai), Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Assam, and West Bengal. The searches were aimed at the properties of individuals suspected to be financial facilitators and operatives acting under the directives of handlers based in Pakistan.

Officials reported that the raids resulted in the confiscation of various electronic devices, sensitive financial documents, and other incriminating materials, which are currently undergoing forensic examination for further insights.

The NIA has filed the case under Sections 61(2), 147, 148 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, along with Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and Section 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967.

Sources have indicated that funding for this network was allegedly funneled through hawala operators and shell companies, to conceal their origins and support the transfer of classified information.

“This was not a singular act of treachery. The financial and digital footprints imply an organized conspiracy,” remarked a senior counterintelligence officer.

Officials are of the opinion that additional arrests are probable as the agency continues to unravel the framework of this cross-border espionage operation, which allegedly exploited both cyber capabilities and inherent vulnerabilities to relay strategic intelligence.

The NIA underscored that the operation represents the agency’s unwavering stance against internal threats and foreign-sponsored subversion.

“This constitutes a blatant effort to infiltrate and destabilize from within,” an official commented.

As per sources, Jat provided crucial information to intelligence officials from Pakistan who masqueraded as journalists during their interactions with him. It has also emerged that a woman, who pretended to be a journalist working for an Indian media outlet, had approached Jat.

He is said to have shared classified documents with her, and after a few months, another individual (a man) began conversing with Jat, introducing himself as the 'colleague' of the 'female journalist', according to sources.