Couple arrested for allegedly supplying Indian SIM cards to Pakistan handlers

Delhi Police’s Special Cell has arrested a couple accused of operating a Pakistan ISI-backed espionage network since 2024. Police allege they procured Indian SIM cards, sent them to Pakistan via Dubai, recruited others for reconnaissance and communicated with Pakistan-based intelligence handlers

New Delhi: The Delhi Police has busted an alleged Pakistan ISI-backed espionage module and arrested a couple accused of working for Pakistani intelligence operatives since 2024, procuring Indian SIM cards and sending them to Pakistan through Dubai, an official said on Friday.

Police said Md Sahil (25) and his wife Sameera (21) allegedly provided logistical support to Pakistan-based handlers and recruited people for espionage activities, including reconnaissance of cantonment areas at different locations in India.

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According to police, the couple came in contact with Pakistani agents through social media in 2024 and were subsequently cultivated to work for the espionage network in return for financial gains. Their Pakistani handlers allegedly paid them Rs 30,000 for the SIM cards, police said.

The Special Cell received information about the alleged network operating in Delhi-NCR and developed the intelligence before identifying its local members. Police said Sahil was arrested first, and forensic analysis of his mobile phone allegedly revealed incriminating conversations with Pakistani intelligence operatives.

During interrogation, Sahil allegedly disclosed that he and Sameera sent eight Indian SIM cards to Pakistan via Dubai during 2024 and 2025. These SIM cards were activated on online messaging applications in Pakistan, and handlers allegedly used them to enter Indian WhatsApp groups to collect sensitive information. Police said the Pakistani operatives also allegedly used the numbers to approach Indians and collect information.

Police said Sahil was also assigned another task of recruiting individuals to conduct reconnaissance of cantonment areas in different parts of the country. Officials said he was also asked to provide details of Army personnel whose court-martial proceedings were pending before tribunals. Police said the interrogation of Sahil subsequently led to the arrest of Sameera, who allegedly played a key role in procuring and providing the Indian SIM cards to the Pakistan-based operatives.

Police recovered two mobile phones used in the alleged conspiracy from the accused. Forensic examination of the devices allegedly revealed chats and other incriminating conversations between the couple and their Pakistani handlers, police said.

They said the investigation provided crucial information about the modus operandi of the Pakistan-based handlers and their alleged network of local operatives, including how they used social media and encrypted communication platforms to coordinate espionage activities.

Sahil, who completed his BA from Indira Gandhi National Open University, had worked with a lawyer while planning to pursue an LLB but has been unemployed since June 2025. Sameera, a BA graduate who completed her Class 12 in Delhi, was working at a call centre in Noida before her arrest. Police said further investigation is underway to identify other members of the alleged espionage network and establish the full extent of the information shared with the Pakistan-based handlers.