Ludhiana, Punjab — Interrogation of three men arrested in Ludhiana has revealed preparations to install CCTV cameras near security installations in Ferozepur and Rajasthan, police said on Monday, alleging the operation was directed by handlers of the ISI in Pakistan.
Arrests and alleged modus operandi
Ludhiana police arrested Rashpal Singh, Rohit Masih and Varinder Masih, all residents of Gurdaspur district, after unearthing what they described as an espionage network that sought to mask surveillance activity through legitimate businesses.
The accused had allegedly posed as shopkeepers — renting a shop near a military area on Ferozepur Road and installing cameras under the pretext of running a shoe shop — with the intent to capture images and videos of activities at military and other sensitive sites and transmit the footage to handlers in Pakistan, according to the police investigation.
Rajasthan and Ferozepur identified as expansion targets
A police official privy to the probe said the accused had been instructed by their alleged ISI handlers to visit Ferozepur and parts of Rajasthan to finalise locations for installing the cameras. The operatives were reportedly told to follow the same modus operandi used in Ludhiana: rent a shop near a security establishment and covertly install cameras at the premises.
“The three accused started working with the ISI only a few months ago and had allegedly received between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 4 lakh during this period,” the police said.
Funding and communications
Investigators said money for the operation was to be routed through hawala channels, an allegation that underscores the transnational dimension the police ascribed to the network. Police added that the accused had received payments totalling in the range of ₹3 lakh–₹4 lakh during the months they were allegedly active with the handlers.
Scope and status of operations
According to the Ludhiana police, apart from the activity on Ferozepur Road, the accused had not successfully installed cameras at any other location in Punjab before their arrest. Police said the timely detentions prevented the planned expansion of the network.
| Accused | Residence | Alleged amount received |
|---|---|---|
| Rashpal Singh | Gurdaspur district | ₹3 lakh–₹4 lakh (collective range) |
| Rohit Masih | Gurdaspur district | ₹3 lakh–₹4 lakh (collective range) |
| Varinder Masih | Gurdaspur district | ₹3 lakh–₹4 lakh (collective range) |
Police perspective and public security
Ludhiana police characterised the arrests as foiling an attempt to expand surveillance activity targeted at sensitive installations. The investigation details provided by officers indicate concerns about operative networks able to scout multiple jurisdictions, including across state boundaries into Rajasthan.
- Arrests: Three men from Gurdaspur detained in Ludhiana.
- Alleged targets: Military area on Ferozepur Road; planned sites in Ferozepur and Rajasthan.
- Alleged handlers: Reportedly the ISI in Pakistan; funds to be routed through hawala.
The development highlights the challenges of countering clandestine surveillance efforts that attempt to exploit small commercial premises near strategic locations. Police have not yet released additional details about the exact sites in Rajasthan that were identified for further surveillance planning.
As the probe continues, investigators are examining communications, financial trails and any linkages that could indicate whether the three men acted alone or were part of a broader network. No charges or formal chargesheet details were disclosed at the time of the report.
Security agencies across border and interior states have in recent years remained alert to the misuse of civilian infrastructure for intelligence gathering. The Ludhiana arrests are likely to prompt renewed scrutiny of commercial premises located close to sensitive installations, including in border-adjacent districts.
Further updates are expected as the Ludhiana police and other agencies complete forensic examination of devices and financial records connected to the case.
