Kashmiri and Indian Journalists Targeted in WhatsApp Spy Campaign by Alleged Pakistani Operatives
May 12, 2025
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May 12, 2025 – India/Pakistan –
Tensions between India and Pakistan have flared once again following the arrest of two individuals in Delhi accused of leaking sensitive information to a Pakistani intelligence official at the country’s High Commission. Indian authorities allege the suspects were part of a broader espionage network aimed at extracting classified defense-related data, including through deceptive contact with Indian journalists.
According to Indian law enforcement, the two accused were in regular communication with a Pakistani official who posed as an Indian Army officer. Investigators believe that under the guise of sharing defense updates or requesting journalistic collaboration, the operative sought to build trust with Indian journalists and government staff to extract confidential details, particularly regarding “Operation Sindoor,” a reported military operation still cloaked in official secrecy.
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that several journalists were targeted by the same operative via WhatsApp and phone calls. Some were contacted with fabricated credentials and lured with seemingly legitimate inquiries related to ongoing security issues. Authorities say these efforts were part of a cyber-enabled social engineering campaign meant to undermine Indian defense readiness and gather strategic intelligence.
Adding to the diplomatic fallout, reports from Pakistan claim that Indian diplomats in Islamabad are being labeled as “spies” in a retaliatory narrative. Pakistani media has echoed the counter-accusation, claiming that Indian operatives have been conducting surveillance and intelligence missions under diplomatic cover. The Indian government has dismissed these claims as diversionary tactics following the exposure of Pakistan’s covert activities in New Delhi.
The espionage scandal has raised fresh alarms about the vulnerability of journalists to foreign intelligence manipulation. Press professionals, particularly those covering defense and geopolitics, are increasingly being targeted by adversarial actors posing as credible sources or officials. Security agencies have urged journalists to adopt stringent verification protocols and report any suspicious outreach immediately.
This case highlights the growing intersection of journalism and modern espionage, with digital tools and social platforms now being weaponized to infiltrate information ecosystems. As both nations brace for diplomatic consequences, the episode reinforces the importance of press vigilance in an era of hybrid warfare and information manipulation.
Reference –
https://www.onmanorama.com/news/world/indian-officers-in-islamabad-termed-spies.html
