Pakistan ISI’s Alleged India Spy Trap: Social Media, Honeytraps and ‘Nudity’ Used to Target Defence Personnel

Recent espionage investigations in India have highlighted an alleged pattern in which Pakistani intelligence operatives use social media, deceptive identities and honeytrapping to target individuals who may have access to sensitive defence or government information.

According to officials familiar with the investigations, several recent cases appear to share common characteristics, including online entrapment, manipulation through romantic or intimate conversations and attempts to obtain information concerning India’s defence infrastructure and military assets.

Social Media Used to Identify Potential Targets

Investigators believe social media platforms are being used to identify potential targets. Profiles belonging to defence personnel, government officials and individuals who may display vulnerabilities online are reportedly examined before contact is initiated.

In some cases, alleged operatives have used accounts featuring women's photographs to establish contact with targets. Conversations may initially appear friendly before shifting toward personal or intimate exchanges.

Investigators have alleged that some targets were subsequently pressured to provide confidential information after sharing intimate material.

A Delhi case involving Mohammad Sahil, 25, and his wife Sameera, 21, has also drawn investigators’ attention. The couple allegedly obtained eight Indian SIM cards and sent them to Pakistan through Dubai between 2024 and 2025.

According to investigators, the SIM cards were subsequently used to activate WhatsApp accounts from Pakistan and gain access to Indian groups, where sensitive information could potentially be collected.

Honeytrapping Allegedly Used Against Defence Personnel

Honeytrapping has emerged as a recurring allegation in several Indian espionage investigations.

In one recent case, a serving Indian Air Force Wing Commander was arrested in May and accused of sharing sensitive information with a Pakistani operative after allegedly being targeted through an online relationship.

Officials familiar with the investigation alleged that the operative used intimate content as leverage, with the accused allegedly being encouraged to share pages of a combat-related document in exchange for nude material.

Investigators have also accused the IAF officer of installing software capable of stealing data on a colleague’s mobile phone.

Authorities have repeatedly warned that seemingly personal interactions on social media can become security risks when individuals with access to sensitive information are targeted.

DRDO Scientist Case

Another prominent case involves former Defence Research and Development Organisation scientist Pradeep Kurulkar.

Kurulkar was arrested by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad in May 2023 and accused of sharing sensitive information with a Pakistani intelligence operative who allegedly used the identity “Zara Dasgupta”.

By June 2023, investigators had reportedly prepared an 1,837-page chargesheet detailing alleged communications between Kurulkar and the operative.

The case became one of the more high-profile examples cited in discussions about the potential use of online relationships and false identities in espionage operations.

Embassy Official Also Accused in Honeytrap Case

In another case, Satendra Siwal, who had been serving as a Security Assistant at the Indian Embassy in Moscow, was arrested in early 2024 on allegations of espionage.

Siwal had reportedly been posted at the embassy since 2021 and was accused of providing sensitive information to Pakistani intelligence operatives after allegedly being honeytrapped.

The cases have highlighted the challenges faced by Indian security agencies as intelligence-gathering efforts increasingly move into digital spaces.

Growing Security Concern

The investigations suggest that espionage attempts may no longer rely solely on traditional intelligence networks. Social media platforms, messaging applications and fabricated online identities can provide alleged operatives with relatively easy ways to identify and approach potential targets.

Security agencies have therefore stressed the importance of caution among defence personnel and government employees, particularly when unsolicited online contacts seek personal, confidential or official information.

While investigators have linked several cases to alleged Pakistani intelligence operations, the specific allegations and evidence vary from case to case and remain subject to legal proceedings.