Jaisalmer, May 29 – In a significant development amid a nationwide crackdown on espionage networks, a Rajasthan government employee has been arrested on charges of spying for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The arrest follows India’s recently launched counter-intelligence initiative, Operation Sindoor, and forms part of a broader probe into espionage activity across border states.
The accused, identified as Shakur Khan Manganiyar, was detained by a joint team of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and central intelligence agencies from his workplace in Jaisalmer. Employed with the state’s Employment Department, Khan is expected to be transferred to Jaipur for further interrogation.
Preliminary investigations have reportedly uncovered Khan’s alleged links to the Pakistani High Commission, with officials indicating that he has been under surveillance for an extended period. Authorities said Khan hails from Dhani in Baroda village, located near the India–Pakistan border — a region known for heightened security monitoring.
Espionage Suspicions Strengthened by Travel, Contact History
Sources familiar with the case stated that Khan had traveled to Pakistan at least seven times in recent years. During interrogation, he was unable to provide credible explanations for the presence of multiple Pakistani phone numbers (bearing the +92 country code) found on his devices. Although no direct evidence such as photographs or video recordings of military installations were recovered, investigators revealed that several files had been recently deleted from his phone, prompting concerns of data tampering.
Two of Khan’s bank accounts are also under scrutiny amid suspicions of foreign transactions. Intelligence sources suggest he may have maintained contact with a Pakistani embassy official, raising the possibility of direct coordination with ISI handlers.
Senior officials confirmed that the arrest was initiated based on intelligence inputs received from "higher headquarters" regarding Khan’s suspicious movements and digital footprint.
Broader Crackdown Under Operation Sindoor
Khan’s arrest is one of several made in recent weeks as part of Operation Sindoor, which was launched on May 7 in response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives. Since then, authorities have intensified efforts to dismantle suspected ISI-linked networks operating within India.
Notably, the crackdown has extended into Punjab and Haryana, where multiple individuals are under investigation for alleged collaboration with Pakistani intelligence.
Among the more high-profile arrests is that of Jyoti Malhotra, a travel vlogger from Hisar, who stands accused of transmitting sensitive information to Pakistani handlers and attempting to influence public opinion through pro-Pakistan content on social media. She, too, had made repeated visits to Pakistan, raising red flags within intelligence circles.
Additional arrests have been made in Punjab’s Malerkotla (May 11), and in Haryana on May 13 and 15. Two individuals working inside Bathinda’s military station were detained on May 7 and May 14 under similar charges.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has not yet issued an official statement, but sources suggest that the ongoing investigations are likely to expand in scope in the coming weeks.
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