Jaisalmer Man Faces Court in ISI Honey Trap Espionage Case
A 28-year-old man from Jaisalmer district in Rajasthan, arrested on serious charges of espionage, is scheduled to appear before a court this Saturday. The Rajasthan Police CID Intelligence unit confirmed the development on Friday, revealing details of what they describe as a sophisticated honey trap operation orchestrated by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
Details of the Alleged Espionage Operation
Investigators have alleged that the accused, identified as Jhabra Ram, aged 28, was deliberately lured into a honey trap by operatives of the ISI. He is accused of passing confidential and strategically sensitive information across the border to Pakistan in exchange for monetary compensation. According to police officials, Ram, who hails from the village of Nedan under the Sankra police station in Pokhran tehsil, was unemployed at the time of his arrest and was reportedly preparing for a teacher recruitment examination.
Authorities claim that Ram began sharing sensitive information related to the Indian Army with his ISI handlers starting in the year 2024. The information allegedly included details connected to Operation Sindoor, with Ram also sending videos and photographs linked to this military operation. This case highlights ongoing concerns about cross-border intelligence activities targeting vulnerable individuals in border regions.
Investigation and Surveillance Efforts
Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence) Prafulla Kumar stated that the arrest followed sustained and meticulous surveillance of suspected espionage activities within Rajasthan. During this monitoring period, Ram's social media contacts and digital communications were flagged as highly suspicious by intelligence units.
Investigators allege that Ram maintained constant communication with accounts linked to the ISI, using encrypted messaging platforms to avoid detection. At the Central Interrogation Centre located in Jaipur, Ram underwent joint questioning by multiple security agencies. His mobile phone was subjected to comprehensive forensic examination, revealing crucial digital evidence.
Financial Transactions and Handler Identities
Police officials disclosed that Ram provided a one-time password (OTP) for a SIM card registered in his name, which enabled his handlers to access WhatsApp accounts for communication purposes. Inspector General Vishnu Kant identified one of his primary handlers as a woman using the alias "Mushkan" and another contact saved in his phone as "Vikas."
The investigation revealed a pattern of small financial deposits being repeatedly transferred into Ram's bank accounts. These transactions were allegedly facilitated through intermediaries based within India, creating a complex web of financial exchanges designed to conceal the source of the funds. The case underscores the sophisticated methods employed by foreign intelligence agencies to compromise Indian citizens through both psychological manipulation and financial incentives.
This espionage case has drawn significant attention from security agencies, highlighting the ongoing challenges in border security and counter-intelligence operations in sensitive regions like Rajasthan. The court appearance on Saturday is expected to provide further legal clarity on the charges and evidence presented by the Rajasthan Police.
