Security agencies in Punjab and Haryana have detained two individuals in separate cases within a span of 24 hours for allegedly sharing sensitive defence-related information with Pakistan-linked handlers, officials said on Tuesday. One of the cases involves a juvenile from Pathankot, while the second pertains to a contractor working at an Indian Air Force facility in Ambala.
Authorities said both incidents are being probed as potential espionage-related cases, with state police coordinating closely with central intelligence and security agencies to determine the nature and extent of information allegedly shared.
Pathankot Case: Juvenile Allegedly Contacted via Social Media
The Punjab Police said a 15-year-old boy from Pathankot was detained under provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act after investigators found alleged communication between the minor and Pakistan-linked handlers through social media platforms.
Police officials said the juvenile was approached online and gradually persuaded to share information considered sensitive from a national security standpoint. The minor has since been produced before the appropriate juvenile justice authorities, and further proceedings will follow the legal framework applicable to children in conflict with law.
Senior Superintendent of Police Daljinder Singh Dhillon said preliminary findings suggest that the boy was emotionally vulnerable at the time he came into contact with the handlers.
“He was under the belief that his father had been murdered, which significantly affected his mental state. Subsequent verification found no evidence to support this belief,” the SSP said. Officials said investigators believe this vulnerability was exploited to influence the juvenile.
Alleged Sharing of Visual Material Under Investigation
According to police, the juvenile allegedly shared videos and images of locations deemed sensitive. Authorities emphasised that the exact nature of the material and whether it compromised operational security is still under assessment.
Investigators also said the boy is suspected to have remained in contact with Pakistan-based criminal elements believed to be linked to terror modules. An official associated with the investigation said the alleged communication appears to have continued over several months, though all findings remain subject to verification.
“All digital devices and communication records are being forensically examined. At this stage, no conclusions are being drawn,” the official said, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the case.
Authorities Flag Online Radicalisation Risks
Security officials said the Pathankot case underscores growing concerns about hostile agencies using online platforms to target minors, particularly in border districts. They noted that misinformation, emotional manipulation, and coercive tactics are increasingly being used to influence young individuals.
Officials urged parents, schools, and community leaders to remain vigilant and encourage responsible online behaviour. Awareness programmes are also being planned in sensitive areas to educate students about digital safety and the risks of engaging with unknown online contacts.
Ambala Case: Contractor Detained Over Alleged Espionage
In a separate incident, the Haryana Police detained a contractor in Ambala on suspicion of sharing sensitive information related to defence installations.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Crime) Virendra Kumar identified the accused as Sunil, also known as Sunny, who had been engaged in repair and maintenance work at an Indian Air Force station since 2020.
Police said intelligence inputs indicated that the contractor may have passed on information related to defence infrastructure. A mobile phone seized during the detention is currently undergoing forensic examination.
“The material recovered is being analysed to establish its relevance and authenticity,” DSP Kumar said, adding that the investigation remains at an early stage and no final determination has yet been made.
Verification of Communications Underway
Officials said preliminary findings suggest that the contractor may have been in contact with an unidentified individual who sought specific details. Investigators are examining whether any information was subsequently transmitted outside India.
Authorities cautioned that such claims are still being verified and stressed the importance of not drawing premature conclusions. The contractor has been remanded to police custody for four days to facilitate questioning and technical analysis of digital evidence.
Heightened Vigilance Along Northern Borders
Both cases come amid heightened vigilance by Indian security agencies in border regions, where authorities say attempts to gather sensitive information through human and digital networks have increased.
Officials said the investigations aim to identify any wider networks involved, assess potential security breaches, and prevent further dissemination of sensitive information. Central agencies have been informed and are providing technical and intelligence support, police said.
Authorities Reiterate Legal Consequences
Security officials reiterated that sharing defence-related information, whether knowingly or unknowingly, poses serious national security risks and attracts strict legal consequences. They also emphasised that due process would be followed in both cases, with special protections applicable in matters involving juveniles.
“As investigations progress, further details will be shared in accordance with law,” an official said.
