Punjab Man Arrested For Installing CCTV Cameras To Spy On Indian Army, Live Broadcast To Pakistan

A man from Punjab’s Pathankot has been arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan-based handlers, police said on Thursday, as reported by PTI. According to preliminary investigation, accused Baljit Singh of Chakk Dhariwal village had installed a CCTV camera in a shop near a bridge on National Highway-44 to monitor the movement of army and paramilitary personnel.

Police said he shared the live footage with handlers in Pakistan.

During interrogation, Baljit Singh admitted that he had installed a CCTV camera on the Pathankot-Jammu stretch of NH-44 in January.

The police further alleged that he received instructions from an unidentified person based in Dubai and was paid ₹40,000 per task.

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According to the police, the accused installed a CCTV camera, the live footage of which was shared with anti-national elements, ANI reported.

Pathankot SSP Daljinder Singh Dhillon said the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) received intelligence that Baljit Singh, alias Bittu, a resident of Dhariwal Chack village under Sadar police station area, along with three associates had installed surveillance cameras at Sujanpur stop on National Highway 44, a route connecting Pathankotes and Jammu purposes.

Acting on information, the police arrested the accused on Thursday. After thorough questioning, the accused gave the location and officials secured separate internet cameras.

Here’s what the police said

“It is a sensitive location and cameras were placed there to monitor all movement. He was arrested yesterday and thoroughly interrogated. Based on the information provided during the interrogation, the location was pinpointed and the police obtained separate internet cameras from there,” he said.

He further stated that three persons participated in the crime. One apparently handled local logistics, while the other two maintained contact with foreign intelligence agencies.

“He was motivated and funded for the task, getting money for cameras and other expenses,” Dhillon said.

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The official emphasized that two of the three accomplices are already in prison for other cases.

“All these details have come to light after a thorough investigation. Among his three accomplices, two are currently in jail for other cases. We will soon hand them over for questioning,” he said.

“The links from these cameras were sent abroad and a technical investigation is underway,” he stressed.

(With input from agencies)