MHA Rolls Out Strict SOP to Combat Pakistan's Honey-Trapping Threats on Social Media
In a decisive move to safeguard national security, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) aimed at protecting police personnel from escalating honey-trapping attempts by Pakistan Intelligence Operatives (PIOs). This detailed guideline, circulated in November 2025 through the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), highlights the urgent need to counter threats posed by malicious actors exploiting popular social media platforms.
Targeted Platforms and Deceptive Tactics
The SOP explicitly warns that PIOs are actively utilizing platforms such as Facebook, X, Instagram, WhatsApp, Telegram, and LinkedIn to extract sensitive information from unsuspecting targets. These operatives often employ sophisticated deception strategies, including creating fake profiles with young, attractive female photographs to lure individuals into compromising situations. The document emphasizes that such tactics are designed to undermine national security and facilitate the misuse of social media for espionage purposes.
Key Guidelines for Police Personnel
To mitigate these risks, the SOP outlines several critical precautions for police officials. Personnel are strongly advised to conceal their professional identities online, avoiding any disclosure of their status as law enforcement officers. Additionally, they should refrain from posting photos or videos related to their workplace and must not share sensitive personal or official details on any digital platform.
The guidelines further caution against establishing connections with unknown individuals, particularly those posing as journalists, researchers, or retired officials. Police personnel are instructed to limit their online visibility strictly to contacts within their trusted networks and to utilize features like disappearing messages wherever possible. Exercising extreme caution before clicking on links that promise job offers, cash rewards, sponsored trips, or claim to be from government sources is also mandated.
Prohibited Practices and Security Measures
The SOP strictly discourages several high-risk behaviors, including using social media for official communication, accepting unverified friend requests, and linking multiple social media accounts. It also prohibits clicking on unknown links, downloading unverified applications, and sharing documents through messaging platforms. To enhance digital security, the document stresses the importance of adopting strong password practices, enabling two-factor authentication, minimizing app permissions, and conducting regular privacy reviews.
Response Protocols for Compromised Officials
In instances where an official is suspected of being compromised, the SOP mandates immediate action to prevent data loss. This includes the confiscation of all digital devices to thwart any attempts at data deletion, followed by a joint interrogation conducted in coordination with the Intelligence Bureau. The Counter-Intelligence wing of state police will oversee the implementation of these measures and ensure seamless coordination with central agencies.
Accountability and Legal Implications
The SOP reinforces that police personnel bear personal responsibility for all content they post online. Sharing confidential information may lead to severe disciplinary actions or criminal proceedings, underscoring the critical need for vigilance in the digital realm. This proactive approach aims to fortify defenses against espionage and protect the integrity of law enforcement operations.
