New Delhi, Aug 28 : The Delhi Police Special Cell has busted a Pakistan-based espionage network that used Indian SIM cards, procured through local contacts, to access WhatsApp groups and allegedly gather sensitive information, officials said on Friday.

The Special Cellâ??s Northern Range arrested a Delhi-based couple, Mohammad Sahil and his wife, Sameera, for working with Pakistani intelligence operatives since 2024. Police said the couple was also tasked with recruiting people for reconnaissance of cantonment areas at different locations in India.

According to investigators, the network procured Indian SIM cards through local contacts and sent them to Pakistan via Dubai. The SIM cards were used there to activate WhatsApp accounts, which Pakistani intelligence operatives subsequently used to gain access to Indian WhatsApp groups and approach Indian users for sensitive information.

Police said eight Indian SIM cards were sent to Pakistan through Dubai during 2024 and 2025. The couple was reportedly paid around Rs 30,000 by Pakistani handlers for the cards.

The case came to light after the Special Cell received information about an ISI-backed Pakistani intelligence operative network active in Delhi-NCR. A team led by Inspectors Anuj Nautiyal and Chandan Kumar, under the supervision of ACP Rahul Kumar Singh, developed the intelligence and identified the alleged local links.

Sahil was arrested from Sarai Kale Khan. During the forensic examination of his mobile phone, police found incriminating conversations with Pakistani agents.

During interrogation, Sahil allegedly told investigators that he came in contact with a Pakistani agent on Instagram in 2024 through Sameera, whom he later married. The agent subsequently introduced the couple to a Pakistani intelligence operative, who allegedly recruited them into the network after promising financial benefits.

Police said Sahil and Sameera provided logistical support to the network and were asked to recruit additional individuals for espionage-related activities and field operations.

Sahil was assigned to recruit people for reconnaissance of cantonment areas and gather details about Army personnel whose court-martial proceedings were pending before tribunals.

Following Sahilâ??s interrogation, police arrested Sameera, who said that she played a key role in arranging and supplying Indian SIM cards to the Pakistani handlers.

Two mobile phones used in the activities were recovered. Their forensic examination reportedly revealed WhatsApp chats and other conversations between the couple and Pakistani handlers.

Police said interrogation of the accused provided insights into the alleged modus operandi of the Pakistan-based operatives and their coordination with local contacts through digital communication platforms.

The Special Cell said the operation helped disrupt the alleged espionage activities of the Pakistan-based network and uncover its local support structure in Delhi-NCR.

/IANS