Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has weaponized India's youth bulge, recruiting dozens of juveniles into an espionage racket targeting railways, defence sites, and public hubs.

Recent busts reveal a network exploiting legal protections for minors under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act (JJ Act), blending financial lures, narcotics, and false promises of power to gather intel for handlers across the border.

Security agencies have arrested multiple operatives in this ISI-backed web, designed to map vulnerabilities via covert CCTV installations.

"Recruiting juveniles offers several advantages," a probing official explained. Under the JJ Act, those under 18 dodge adult detention -- no regular jails or lock-ups -- and enjoy identity shields. The 2015 amendment allows 16-18-year-olds in heinous cases to face adult courts post-assessment, but bans life or death sentences.

ISI pairs these "untouchables" with adult supervisors, minimizing risks while maximizing reach.

Meerut bust exposes the mechanics

The scheme surfaced dramatically with Meerut handler Suhel Malik's arrest. His 21-member cell—nine juveniles strong—planted cameras at Sonipat railway stations, Delhi security installations, and more, piping live feeds to Pakistani masters.

Teens aged 16-17, often battling addiction, were hooked with quick cash. "Payments fueled their drug needs," an investigator disclosed.

Malik sold the thrill: Join a "powerful gang" for a mega heist. "Installing CCTVs at sensitive spots impressed them—it screamed status," the official said. "This became a key selling point; many fell for it." Digital tools amplified the trap -- WhatsApp groups like "Lawrence Bishnoi007" fostered belonging, masking espionage as edgy rebellion. Some recruits later grasped the ISI link, but money's pull -- squandered on highs -- overrode doubts.

Experts fear this is just the start. An Intelligence Bureau official predicts persistence: "ISI will continue this pattern." Beyond surveillance, juveniles could pivot to terror—executing blasts or logistics. "They're ideal for handlers: pliable, protected, and plentiful," he cautioned.

India's agencies, long battling ISI's Indian asset hunts, now face this juvenile twist amid rising cyber-espionage.

Coordinated probes aim to sever digital pipelines and street recruiters, but JJ Act hurdles demand legal tweaks.

IANS