High-tech ISI-BKI ‘espionage’ network targeting Delhi defence hubs busted; 11 nabbed from Delhi, Punjab
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.
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.
Key Details
- 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.
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.
Key Details
- 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.
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.
Key Details
- 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.
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.
- 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.