JALANDHAR: An innocent-looking CCTV camera atop a pole in Kapurthala's Model Town turned out to be the eyes and ears of an ISI-controlled spy module that kept a watch on sensitive military locations. This was revealed when Punjab counter-intelligence (CI) busted two ISI-controlled modules and arrested three suspects for spying on military establishments via solar-powered CCTV cameras. They used to transmit the footage live to Pakistan-based handlers through mobile apps, DGP Gaurav Yadav said Thursday.
Breakthrough by Military Intelligence
Sources told TOI that a Military Intelligence (MI) unit in Punjab got the breakthrough in this case and provided crucial leads to state police. The DGP said Jalandhar CI unit arrested a suspect, Sukhwinder Singh alias Sukha, while Kapurthala district police nabbed two others – Sona and Sandeep Singh alias Sonu – in a joint operation with a central agency. A China-made CCTV camera equipped with a USB-connecting solar plate with 4G connectivity was seized in Jalandhar. In Kapurthala, a SIM-based CCTV camera, four mobile phones linked to foreign handlers, and a Wi-Fi set were seized. The three accused are from Ferozepur.
Chinese Cameras Ideal for Off-Grid Surveillance
“These Chinese cameras are ideal for off-grid surveillance as they operate via 4G connectivity and solar power, bypassing the need for traditional wiring,” said Yadav. Kapurthala SSP Gaurav Toora said a Pakistan-based handler, ‘Fauji’, had given Rs 35,000 to the two suspects to rent out the Model Town shop to install the spy cam. Sandeep was involved in drug smuggling as well and was paid Rs 50,000 for distributing 1kg of heroin sent via drones by the same Pakistani handler, Toora said.
Legal Action Taken
Two cases have been registered in Kapurthala and Amritsar under BNS for sedition and criminal conspiracy, and for offences under the Official Secrets Act. The arrests highlight the ongoing threat of espionage and the use of advanced technology for surveillance by foreign intelligence agencies. The police continue to investigate the network and its links.
