Chandigarh/Pathankot, May 21: Punjab Police have arrested a man from Pathankot on charges of allegedly spying for Pakistan-based handlers by transmitting live footage of army and paramilitary movement along the strategically important National Highway-44, officials said on Thursday.
The accused, identified as Baljit Singh of Chakk Dhariwal village in Pathankot district, was taken into custody following an investigation into suspicious surveillance activity near the Pathankot-Jammu highway corridor.
According to police, preliminary findings revealed that the accused had installed an internet-enabled CCTV camera at a shop located near a bridge on NH-44 in January this year. Investigators suspect the device was strategically placed to monitor the movement of military convoys and security forces travelling towards Jammu and Kashmir.
Officials alleged that the live feed captured through the camera was being transmitted directly to Pakistan-based handlers. During interrogation, Baljit Singh reportedly admitted to setting up the surveillance system under instructions received from an unidentified individual based in Dubai.
Police said the accused was allegedly paid Rs 40,000 for carrying out the operation. The CCTV camera and related equipment were recovered during the investigation.
Security agencies are now examining possible links between the accused and cross-border espionage networks operating through digital surveillance methods. Authorities are also probing whether any sensitive information regarding troop movement or military logistics was shared.
The arrest comes amid heightened concerns over the use of advanced surveillance technology in espionage activities near sensitive defence installations. Last month, Punjab Police had busted two alleged ISI backed spying modules that used sophisticated China made solar powered CCTV cameras to relay live footage of key military locations to handlers across the border.
Investigators believe such networks are increasingly relying on internet based devices and remote communication channels to gather intelligence from strategically important regions.