What Happened
- The Special Cell of Delhi Police busted a high-tech ISI-BKI espionage and terror module on April 10, 2026, arresting 11 persons from Delhi and Punjab.
- In the first phase, six accused were arrested and nine solar-powered CCTV cameras were recovered from near sensitive defence and security establishments — the cameras were transmitting live feeds to Pakistan-based handlers via mobile applications.
- The cameras were deployed at multiple locations across Punjab (Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Pathankot, Patiala, Moga), Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, and Rajasthan.
- In the second phase, acting on inputs from military intelligence, five more accused were arrested from Punjab — they were conducting reconnaissance of Army and paramilitary installations and sharing photos and videos with Pakistani handlers.
- Police recovered four pistols (three PX5 foreign-made weapons and one country-made), along with 24 live cartridges.
- The accused were in direct contact with handlers in Pakistan through encrypted messaging platforms.
- The module was being funded through UPI transactions, with a portion of funds originating from illegal arms smuggling proceeds.
- Investigation revealed the network was planning grenade attacks on security establishments — those plans have now been disrupted.
- Cases were registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) provisions related to terrorism.
Static Topic Bridges
Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) — Banned Khalistani Terrorist Organisation
Babbar Khalsa International is a pro-Khalistan militant organisation that seeks to establish an independent Sikh state (Khalistan) in the Punjab region. It is designated as a terrorist entity under India's Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and is banned in several countries.
- Founded in 1978 following clashes with the Nirankari sect of Sikhs.
- Gained international notoriety in June 1985 when it carried out the Air India Flight 182 bombing, killing 329 people — mostly Canadians — in one of the deadliest aviation terror attacks before 9/11.
- Designated a terrorist organisation by Canada (2003), the United Kingdom (Terrorism Act 2000), and India (UAPA).
- Leadership operates from UK, Germany, and Pakistan; Wadhwa Singh (Pakistan-based) heads the outfit.
- ISI has reportedly coordinated BKI with other Pakistan-sponsored groups, including LeT, to revive terrorism in Punjab.
- Between 2017–2023, a series of arrests of BKI operatives in India followed a new resurgence of Khalistani activity.
Connection to this news: This bust exposes an active ISI-BKI joint operational network using cutting-edge surveillance technology to map Indian military installations in real time — a significant escalation from earlier pattern of arms smuggling and targeted killings.
Pakistan's ISI and Cross-Border Terrorism in India
Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has long been accused by India of sponsoring, training, and financing terrorist organisations operating on Indian soil — particularly in Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir.
- ISI has historically provided safe haven, training, and logistical support to militant groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), and Khalistani groups like BKI and ISYF.
- India has repeatedly raised the issue of cross-border terrorism at bilateral and multilateral forums, including at the UN Security Council.
- India designated Pakistan as a state sponsor of terrorism in its submissions to the FATF (Financial Action Task Force); Pakistan was placed on the FATF Grey List from 2018–2022.
- India has listed 20 most-wanted terrorists sheltered in Pakistan, including BKI's Wadhwa Singh, and has demanded their extradition — requests that have been consistently refused.
- Use of encrypted messaging apps (WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal) for handler-operative communication is a documented pattern in ISI-sponsored modules.
Connection to this news: The use of solar-powered CCTV cameras to stream real-time feeds of Indian military installations to Pakistan represents a technological upgrade in ISI's surveillance tradecraft, moving from informant networks to automated, persistent reconnaissance.
Delhi Police Special Cell and Counter-Terrorism Architecture
The Special Cell is a dedicated anti-terrorism and organised crime unit of the Delhi Police, operating under the Commissioner of Police. It handles sensitive investigations involving terrorist modules, interstate crime syndicates, and matters of national security.
- Functions under the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) and Special Cell wings.
- Works in close coordination with central agencies — IB (Intelligence Bureau), RAW, NIA (National Investigation Agency), and Military Intelligence.
- Has been instrumental in busting multiple ISI-backed modules in Delhi NCR over the past decade, including LeT cells and Khalistani networks.
- Operates under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) — which replaced the IPC in 2023 — and the UAPA for terror-related charges.
- The NIA also has concurrent jurisdiction over terror cases under the NIA Act, 2008.
Connection to this news: The coordination between Delhi Police Special Cell and Military Intelligence in the second phase of arrests highlights the multi-agency nature of counter-espionage operations, essential given that espionage targets span civil and military jurisdictions.
Key Facts & Data
- 11 persons arrested from Delhi and Punjab in two phases.
- 9 solar-powered CCTV cameras recovered — each transmitting live feed to Pakistan via mobile apps.
- Cameras found in: Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Pathankot, Patiala, Moga (Punjab), Haryana, J&K, and Rajasthan.
- 4 pistols (3 foreign-made PX5 + 1 country-made) and 24 live cartridges recovered.
- Module funded via UPI transactions and arms smuggling proceeds.
- Grenade attacks on security establishments were being planned — averted by this operation.
- Cases filed under BNS provisions relating to terrorism.
- BKI is banned under the UAPA; ISI is the coordinating foreign intelligence agency.