JALANDHAR/AMRITSAR – In a major breakthrough for national security, the Counter-Intelligence (CI) Wing of the Punjab Police has dismantled a sophisticated espionage network backed by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The operation led to the arrest of the ringleader, Sukhwinder Singh, alias ‘Sukha’, a resident of village Sahanke in Ferozepur, who was allegedly monitoring Indian Army movements using high-tech, solar-powered surveillance equipment.
The Modus Operandi: “Off-the-Grid” Surveillance
The investigation, spearheaded by DGP Gaurav Yadav and AIG (Counter Intelligence) Simratpal Singh Dhindsa, revealed that the module was strategically installing China-made solar-powered CCTV cameras across strategic points in Punjab.
These cameras were equipped with 4G SIM-based connectivity, allowing handlers in Pakistan to access live video feeds of sensitive military locations via mobile applications. Because the units are solar-powered, they operate entirely “off-the-grid,” bypassing the need for traditional electrical wiring and making them nearly impossible to detect through routine power-monitoring checks.
Key Details of the Bust
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Arrests: Along with Sukhwinder Singh, two other accomplices—identified as Sona and Sandeep Singh (alias Sonu)—were arrested in a coordinated raid in Kapurthala.
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Recoveries: Authorities seized multiple 4G-enabled cameras, solar plates, and SIM cards. In Kapurthala, a SIM-based camera was found mounted on a pole near an Army Cantonment, rented via a shop in Model Town.
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The Foreign Link: A Pakistan-based handler identified as “Fauji” reportedly paid the accused ₹35,000 for the camera installations.
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Narco-Terror Angle: One of the accused, Sandeep Singh, was also found involved in drone-based drug smuggling, having received ₹50,000 to distribute 1 kg of heroin sent from Pakistan.
A Growing National Threat
This operation follows a similar bust in Delhi in April 2026, where 11 individuals were arrested for using identical technology. Security experts note that the ISI is increasingly shifting from human assets to low-cost, commercial-grade Chinese technology that provides persistent, 24/7 surveillance of troop deployments, vehicle movements, and routine drills.
“These cameras blend seamlessly into the environment, often mounted on public poles to evade casual detection,” stated a senior CI official. “They provide handlers instant visibility into our defence installations at a fraction of the cost of traditional espionage.”
Legal Action & Ongoing Investigation
FIRs have been registered under the Official Secrets Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) in Amritsar and City Kapurthala. DGP Gaurav Yadav asserted that the police remain fully vigilant, with ongoing raids to trace financial trails and further operatives linked to this cross-border network.
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