15-Year-Old Detained in Punjab for Alleged Espionage: A Growing Concern

In a troubling incident, a 15-year-old boy from Pathankot, Punjab, has been arrested for allegedly sharing sensitive information with ISI operatives in Pakistan. This case has prompted a statewide alert regarding potential espionage activities involving minors. Authorities are concerned that the boy's emotional vulnerability, stemming from personal trauma, may have made him susceptible to recruitment by foreign agencies. Investigations suggest that he may not be alone in this, with fears that other children could also be targeted. The situation raises significant security concerns for Indian authorities as they work to address this alarming trend.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 6, 2026, 11:49 IST

Minor Arrested for Spying Activities

Chandigarh: Authorities in Punjab have apprehended a 15-year-old boy from Pathankot on charges of espionage, as he is suspected of sharing sensitive information through social media, leading to a statewide alert regarding similar activities involving minors.

According to officials, the boy, who hails from Samba district in Jammu, has reportedly been transmitting critical data to handlers associated with the ISI in Pakistan for over a year.

He is accused of sharing images and details concerning sensitive military sites. Police have recovered chat logs and call records from his mobile device.

The police noted that the boy believed his father had been murdered, which contributed to his emotional vulnerability.

Daljinder Singh Dhillon, Senior Superintendent of Police in Pathankot, informed the media that the boy was taken into custody after authorities received intelligence about his involvement in supplying information related to national security to terror organizations, including the ISI and Pakistani military personnel.

The boy reportedly fell prey to Pakistani agencies via social media, driven by his suspicions regarding his father's death, which impacted his mental state.

Following surveillance and technical analysis that connected his communications to handlers in Pakistan, the minor was detained, as reported by media outlets.

During interrogation, police discovered that the boy was not acting alone. Officials suspect that other minors may also be in contact with ISI operatives.

As a result, alerts have been dispatched to police stations throughout the state to remain vigilant and identify other children who might have been targeted. His arrest has raised alarms among Indian security agencies, as investigations suggest that the ISI is attempting to recruit young individuals for espionage, posing a significant security threat, according to a senior Punjab Police officer.