Nearly a month after an unauthorised solar-powered CCTV camera was found near Bathinda's high-security military zone, police have arrested the alleged kingpin of the operation. Simranjeet Singh, alias Nimbu (22), a crane driver from Sarai village in Amritsar district, was arrested near Batala in Gurdaspur district on Tuesday, police said Wednesday.
Third Arrest in Ongoing Investigation
Simranjeet is the third person arrested in the case. His associates Ashok Singh (40), a cook, and Akashdeep Singh (22), who is unemployed, both from the same village, were previously taken into custody. According to Bathinda SP (City) Narinder Singh, Simranjeet was the main accused.
“Simranjeet had earlier gone to Dubai to work as a driver but later returned. He may have come into contact with anti-national elements during his stay there. He is facing a case under the NDPS Act. Along with his associates, he travelled to Bathinda by bus to install the camera at a location shared by a person based abroad,” the SP said.
How the Spy Camera Operated
The solar-powered CCTV camera, fitted with a SIM card, was found mounted on an electricity pole near a cement factory on the Bathinda-Sriganganagar road. The police claimed it had remained operational for nearly three months, transmitting footage to handlers based in Pakistan and Canada.
SP Narinder Singh said Ashok provided logistical support, technical inputs, and a SIM card, while Akashdeep, along with Simranjeet, installed the camera at the site.
Security Implications
The site where the camera was installed is a few kilometres from Bathinda Military Station, one of Asia’s largest military cantonments and the headquarters of the Indian Army’s X Corps. The Air Force Station and Bathinda airport are also located nearby, making the incident a serious security concern.
Sources said the camera was detected by the Thermal police while they were investigating a road accident in the area, following which a counter-intelligence probe was launched. A case has been registered at the Thermal police station under the Official Secrets Act and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
