CHANDIGARH: Indian authorities have escalated a sweeping crackdown in Punjab, claiming to have identified 50 individuals allegedly connected to six people arrested this month on suspicion of spying for Pakistan.
According to police sources, the arrests took place in Pathankot, Malerkotla, Bathinda, and Gurdaspur following heightened tensions with Pakistan. The six suspects—five men and one woman—were accused of leaking sensitive information to Pakistani intelligence officials.
A police official stated that technical surveillance and human intelligence methods were used to identify the 50 individuals, who are now under scrutiny for possible links to the arrested suspects. While many of those questioned have denied involvement, authorities said they will remain under investigation until their connections are fully verified.
Among the key arrests:
-
On May 8, Malerkotla police arrested Ghazala and Yameen Mohammad, alleging they passed military data to a Pakistani official.
-
On May 12, Neeraj Kumar, a salesman in Pathankot, was detained for allegedly issuing SIM cards using forged documents. The case surfaced after a complaint revealed unauthorized use of a citizen’s ID.
-
In Bathinda, police booked Rakib, a tailor at the cantonment, for alleged contact with foreign operatives and possession of sensitive military documents.
-
In Gurdaspur, Sukhpreet Singh and Karanbir Singh were accused of leaking classified details regarding a military operation dubbed “Operation Sindoor.”
Despite these arrests, local civil society voices and human rights observers have raised serious concerns about the credibility of the allegations. Critics argue that the crackdown appears politically motivated, targeting Sikhs under the guise of national security to deflect attention from India’s recent military and diplomatic setbacks involving Pakistan.
Human rights groups have urged judicial oversight and independent investigations, warning that sweeping accusations without evidence risk fueling communal tensions and undermining civil liberties in the region.
