3 min readAmritsar, ChandigarhMay 5, 2025 02:09 AM IST
First published on: May 4, 2025 at 12:15 PM IST
In a major counter-espionage operation, the Punjab Police Saturday arrested two men who were allegedly leaking sensitive information about Indian military installations in Amritsar to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The arrests came amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22, in which 26 people were killed.
The two accused, Palak Sher Masih and Suraj Masih, were allegedly in contact with ISI through Harpreet Singh alias Pittu alias Happy, an inmate in Amritsar Central Jail. The police said they were sending sensitive information related to the Army cantonment and Indian Air Force base in Amritsar to Pakistan.
Both accused are daily-wage labourers with a history of substance abuse but have no prior criminal record, the police said based on a preliminary probe.
The Punjab Police said they recovered a mobile phone from the accused, which allegedly contained images of Army movements and the Air Force base.
Sources close to the investigation revealed that the suspects had already shared the locations of key military installations with Pakistani handlers. “The device seized may help identify other associates. The police will also bring Harpreet Singh alias Happy on a production warrant to uncover his links with Pakistan,” a senior police officer said.
Confirming the arrests in a formal statement, Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said a case has been registered under the Official Secrets Act, and the investigation is proceeding.
Maninder Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police, Amritsar Rural, said secret information was received about Palak Sher Masih and Suraj Masih that they were in touch with Pakistani intelligence operatives and leaking information about sensitive installations.
“We have arrested them both and recovered a lot of data from them… They had one more partner, Harpreet, who brought them in touch with the ISI, and we will bring him from the Amritsar jail on a production warrant. One narcotics case was already registered against him,” said the SSP.
Maninder Singh said the police filed the FIR in the spying case under the Official Secrets Act as well as the Information Technology Act.
According to the initial investigation, the two accused received Rs 5,000 for small information and Rs 10,000 for more sensitive information about the movement of troops, etc. The SSP said the police have recovered a lot of weapons and explosive RDX in the case.
“Earlier, they used to pick heroin consignments from the border, and now they were asked for such information. They were disclosing information about sensitive army installations and movements to the Pakistani agents and helping in strengthening the enemy’s design,” the SSP added.
In a post on X, DGP Yadav said, “Further critical revelations are expected as the probe deepens. Punjab Police stands strong with Indian Army, remains unwavering in its duty to safeguard national interests. Any attempt to undermine the security of our armed forces will be met with firm and immediate action.”
The arrests come in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed. (File Photo) 
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