Punjab Police arrested Baljit Singh, alias Bittu, from Chakk Dhariwal village in Pathankot for allegedly spying on Army and paramilitary movements along NH‑44.
Singh installed an internet‑enabled CCTV camera near a bridge to stream live feeds of troop convoys to Pakistan‑based handlers.
Investigators said Singh received instructions from a Dubai contact and ₹40,000 for the operation. Intelligence inputs about suspicious activity along the highway led to his detention.
Police revealed that the camera placement allowed real‑time monitoring of military traffic in the sensitive Pathankot‑Jammu corridor. Experts warned that low‑cost digital devices such as Wi‑Fi cameras and drones are increasingly exploited for espionage.
Authorities linked the case to earlier espionage crackdowns in Punjab involving ISI‑backed modules using SIM‑based and solar‑powered CCTV systems. Similar Chinese‑made devices with 4G connectivity transmitted live feeds to Pakistan handlers.
Police registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Official Secrets Act against four individuals — Baljit Singh, Vikramjit Singh, Balwinder Singh, and Taranpreet Singh. Investigators are examining communication records and financial transactions to uncover the full network.
