Punjab Police has dismantled a sophisticated espionage network using solar-powered, SIM-enabled CCTV cameras to transmit live feeds of military movements to handlers in Pakistan.

  • ISI-linked operatives used off-grid solar-powered cameras to monitor military routes and cantonments.
  • 22 out of 23 identified accused have been arrested in the latest crackdown.
  • The devices use 4G/SIM connectivity to stream live data to handlers in Pakistan and Dubai.
  • Multiple FIRs have been registered under the Official Secrets Act and BNS.

In a major blow to cross-border espionage, the Punjab Police has busted its fifth major module in six months involving internet-based spy devices. Operatives linked to Pakistan’s ISI have been using solar-powered, SIM-enabled CCTV cameras installed outside commercial establishments to track the movement of military convoys and security personnel along key strategic routes.

According to DGP Gaurav Yadav, the latest operation led to the arrest of 22 out0f 23 identified suspects. Authorities seized a cache of equipment, including 11 cameras, solar plates, SIM cards, mobile phones, and routers. Legal action has been initiated across multiple districts, including Kapurthala, Amritsar, Bathinda, Pathankot, Barnala, and Ludhiana, under the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this represents a shift toward highly decentralized and difficult-to-detect espionage. Unlike traditional wired surveillance, these 'off-grid' cameras rely on solar energy and 4G connectivity, making them nearly invisible to standard electrical audits. They allow foreign handlers to maintain real-time visual intelligence on Indian troop logistics without being physically present.

The use of cheap, solar-powered technology by intelligence agencies makes local surveillance extremely difficult to detect during routine patrols.

The pattern of these crimes has been observed across several states. Earlier in March, a similar module was busted in Ghaziabad, targeting the Delhi Cantt and Sonipat railway stations. This alarming trend prompted the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to order a nationwide audit of CCTV installations near sensitive military zones.

The financial incentives for local facilitators are significant. Investigations reveal that handlers, such as a Dubai-based contact or those in Pakistan, pay local installers anywhere from ₹35,000 to ₹3,00,000 per installation. In one instance near the Baddowal Cantonment, an accused used a rented shoe shop as a front to host the spy cameras, receiving large sums in installments.

Did You Know?: These spy cameras are designed to be completely independent of the power grid, making them ideal for long-term, undetected surveillance in remote or highway areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do these spy cameras operate without wires?
They use solar panels to harvest energy and integrated SIM cards to transmit data via 4G/5G networks directly to cloud platforms.

2. Which agencies are involved in this investigation?
The investigation involves the Punjab Police, counter-intelligence wings, and central intelligence agencies to track the international handlers.