Pathankot teen arrested for ISI spying! Shared national security details via social media. Concerns over wider ISI recruitment network targeting youth. Click to learn more!

Pathankot: Punjab Police have arrested a 15-year-old boy on charges of allegedly sharing sensitive information related to national security with Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), in a case that has raised serious security concerns.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Pathankot Daljinder Singh Dhillon said the minor, identified as Sanjeev Kumar, was taken into custody after investigators received inputs that he had been in contact with Pakistan-based terror-linked handlers for nearly a year.
According to the police, the boy was allegedly lured through social media platforms and was manipulated by Pakistani agencies into sharing videos and details of sensitive locations. “He fell into the trap of Pakistani agencies through social media, as he was suspicious that his father had been murdered, which affected him mentally,” the SSP said.
Police said the minor had been communicating not only with ISI-linked operatives but also with Pakistan-based gangsters involved in terror modules. Several videos of locations considered sensitive were allegedly shared through his mobile phone.
The minor, a resident of Samba district in Jammu, was arrested following technical surveillance and communication analysis that traced his contacts to Pakistan. Investigators believe the case may not be isolated.
Concerns over wider recruitment network
Police sources indicated that other minors across different districts of Punjab are suspected to be in contact with ISI operatives. In response, alerts have been issued to police stations across the state to remain vigilant and identify children who may be vulnerable to similar online radicalisation and recruitment efforts.
Further investigation is underway to assess the extent of the network, the duration of contact, and the nature of information that may have been compromised.
Published: 06 Jan 2026, 09:17 am IST
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