Rajasthan man with ₹25,000 reward held for supplying SIM cards to Pakistan
Synopsis
A wanted man with a ₹25,000 reward on his head has been arrested in Rajasthan's Anupgarh for allegedly running Indian SIM cards across the border to Pakistani handlers — who used them to operate WhatsApp accounts appearing to originate in India. The case exposes a low-tech but high-impact method of exploiting Indian telecom infrastructure for cross-border operations.
Key Takeaways
Balwinder Singh alias Bindra , 45 , was arrested in Anupgarh, Rajasthan on 29 August 2026 .
He allegedly supplied Indian SIM cards to Pakistani handlers to activate WhatsApp accounts on Indian mobile numbers in Pakistan.
A reward of ₹25,000 had been announced for information leading to his arrest in a separate case at Jaitsar police station — Case No.
102/2026 — under the BNS and NDPS Act .
The operation was a joint effort by Anupgarh police and Sri Ganganagar CID (IB) , conducted under orders from the IG, Bikaner Range .
Singh is under interrogation; investigators are working to identify associates and map the full cross-border network.
A 45-year-old man wanted in a prior criminal case and carrying a ₹25,000 reward on his head was arrested in Rajasthan's border district of Anupgarh on 29 August 2026 for allegedly supplying Indian SIM cards to Pakistani handlers and enabling the activation of WhatsApp accounts on Indian mobile numbers from across the border. The joint operation by Anupgarh police and the CID (Intelligence Branch) marks a significant counter-intelligence breakthrough in the sensitive border zone.
How the Operation Unfolded
The arrest was carried out under directions from the Inspector General of Police, Bikaner Range, according to District Superintendent of Police Hari Shankar. Following inputs about suspicious cross-border activity, the intelligence network in the region was strengthened, eventually leading investigators to Balwinder Singh alias Bindra, a resident of Village 27 A, Anupgarh.
Authorities allege Singh was moving through the border region, ferrying SIM cards belonging to Indian citizens to Pakistani handlers. Those cards were then reportedly used in Pakistan to activate WhatsApp accounts linked to Indian mobile numbers — a method increasingly associated with cross-border disinformation and espionage networks.
What Investigators Have Alleged
Police allege Singh was operating at the direction of Pakistani handlers, and that his activities were detrimental to India's sovereignty, unity, integrity, and security. A formal case has been registered at Anupgarh police station. Singh is currently under interrogation, with investigators seeking to map his network of associates and trace the full chain of SIM card movement across the border.
Notably, Singh was also a wanted accused in Case No. 102/2026 registered at Jaitsar police station, under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act — a combination suggesting investigators believe he may have been involved in multiple illicit cross-border operations simultaneously.
The Team Behind the Arrest
The operation was executed by a joint team comprising Anupgarh SHO Kartar Singh, Intelligence Officer Pawan Kumar, Constables Keshar Singh and Thakraram, along with personnel from the Sri Ganganagar CID (IB). The coordinated nature of the team — combining local police with intelligence branch operatives — reflects the seriousness with which authorities are treating the case.
Broader Security Context
This is the latest in a series of arrests along Rajasthan's international border involving the alleged misuse of Indian telecommunications infrastructure by foreign actors. The use of Indian SIM cards to operate messaging accounts in Pakistan is a documented tactic that complicates digital surveillance, as communications appear to originate domestically. Authorities are now probing communication links with Pakistani handlers and working to identify others who may have been part of the broader racket. The investigation remains ongoing.
Point of View
High-concealment tactic — communications appear domestic, defeating basic telecom-based surveillance. That a single individual could allegedly move SIM cards across one of India's most militarised borders points to gaps in both physical security and telecom KYC enforcement. The simultaneous NDPS angle is worth watching: cross-border narcotics and intelligence networks in Rajasthan have historically overlapped, sharing routes and handlers. Investigators identifying the Pakistani handler network — not just the Indian courier — will determine whether this arrest is a dead end or a thread that unravels something larger.
NationPress
29 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Balwinder Singh alias Bindra and why was he arrested?
Balwinder Singh alias Bindra, 45, is a resident of Village 27 A in Anupgarh, Rajasthan, arrested on 29 August 2026 for allegedly supplying Indian SIM cards to Pakistani handlers. Police allege the SIM cards were used in Pakistan to activate WhatsApp accounts on Indian mobile numbers, an activity they say was detrimental to India's sovereignty and security.
How were the Indian SIM cards being used in Pakistan?
According to police, the SIM cards belonging to Indian citizens were transported across the border and used in Pakistan to activate WhatsApp accounts linked to Indian mobile numbers. This method makes communications appear to originate from within India, complicating surveillance efforts.
What other cases is Balwinder Singh linked to?
Singh was also a wanted accused in Case No. 102/2026 at Jaitsar police station, registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. A reward of ₹25,000 had been announced for information leading to his arrest in that case.
Which agencies conducted the arrest operation?
The operation was a joint effort by Anupgarh police and the Sri Ganganagar CID (Intelligence Branch), carried out under directions from the Inspector General of Police, Bikaner Range. The team included SHO Kartar Singh, Intelligence Officer Pawan Kumar, and Constables Keshar Singh and Thakraram.
What is the current status of the investigation?
Balwinder Singh is under active interrogation. Investigators are seeking details about his associates and the broader network involved in transporting SIM cards across the border, and are working to trace communication links with Pakistani handlers.
