Haryana Police have arrested two men, Arman and Tarif, from Nuh district on charges of espionage for Pakistan, uncovering their alleged involvement in an organised network linked to the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi. This development is part of a broader crackdown across multiple Indian states, targeting a sophisticated espionage ring with deep connections, raising concerns about national security.
Arrests in Nuh: Arman and Tarif
Arman
According to reports, Arman, a 24-year-old from Rajaka village in Nuh, is not highly educated, holding only a 12th-grade certificate and an ITI diploma. He worked as a teacher in a private school with no additional income sources beyond his salary. Living with his wife of six years, three children, and five brothers, his father, Jameel, a former village sarpanch, is currently imprisoned in Chhattisgarh for vehicle theft. Despite having no prior criminal record and being viewed positively by his community, Arman’s espionage activities are surprising.
Arman did not refrain from travelling to Pakistan twice in the past six to eight months, once in late 2024 and again in early 2025, for 10-15 days each time. His brother, Insaf, insists these were merely family visits to their father’s aunt in Lahore. However, Arman is accused of not maintaining secrecy, sharing sensitive information with a Pakistani official named Danish, linked to the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi. He reportedly sent photos of preparations for a Defence Expo in Delhi (May 1-3, 2025), company contact details, and other strategic data using multiple mobile phones. Arman failed to fully cover his tracks, deleting chats, and his phones are now under forensic examination for data recovery.
Mohammad Tarif
Mohammad Tarif, from Kangarka village in Tawadu, Nuh, falsely presented himself as a doctor despite having no medical qualifications, prescribing medicines to locals and gaining a reputation as a community healer. As the second of ten siblings, Tarif has no criminal history, and his family, including his grandmother Husaini, portrays him as far from guilty. He did not avoid travelling to Pakistan three times—in 2018, 2021, and 2024—staying 15-20 days each time. His family claims these trips were for family events, like a wedding, accompanied by his wife, child, father Hanif, and sister, maintaining regular contact with extended family in Pakistan tied to Husaini’s late brother-in-law.
Tarif’s espionage involvement includes withholding over 12 SIM cards from Pakistani officials, including Asif Baloch and Zafar, and sending photos and videos of critical sites like the Sirsa Airbase. A viral video from May 19, 2025, shows Tarif admitting to being recruited by the Pakistan High Commission in 2018 during a visa application, where an official took his number and later demanded SIM cards for visa approvals. Tarif did not refuse to facilitate visas for others, charging Rs 8,000-10,000 per case and sharing profits with Pakistani officials. His family claims he was not spared brutal treatment in custody, citing visible injuries during a brief meeting at Nuh Sadar police station, though his confession video shows no clear signs of physical harm.
Details of the Arrests
Arman was detained on May 15, 2025, at around 3:00-3:30 PM from Badkali Chowk in Nuh, with his arrest officially recorded on May 16. His brother Insaf, claims the family searched for him but only learned of his arrest the following day. Police denied them access, citing ongoing investigations. Arman was presented in court, which granted a seven-day police remand based on evidence, including documents, confirming his espionage activities.
Tarif’s arrest occurred on May 16 or 17, 2025, with conflicting accounts from his family and police. His brother Mirsad states he was informed of the arrest on May 18 at 1:00 AM and saw Tarif in a deteriorated physical condition during a brief meeting at Nuh Sadar police station. Tarif’s family alleges police brutality, claiming visible injuries on his eyes and legs, and reports threats from officers during their visit. Like Arman, Tarif was placed on a seven-day remand for further questioning.
Espionage Network and Pakistani Connections
Investigative agencies suspect Arman and Tarif are minor players in a larger, organised espionage network orchestrated through the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi. Both accused reportedly engaged with Pakistani officials, including Danish, Asif Baloch, and Zafar, to share sensitive information. Arman admitted to providing classified data to Danish, receiving cash payments in return, and facilitating visas for others. He is linked to 10-12 Pakistani phone numbers, with deleted chats under forensic analysis. Tarif’s activities included supplying SIM cards and strategic location data, with suspicions of deeper involvement in visa facilitation for espionage purposes.
The investigation is probing potential connections to the Pakistan High Commission, where both men allegedly visited for visa applications and were recruited. Authorities are tracing the individual who introduced Arman to Danish, as well as others who obtained visas through the duo. The network’s reach may extend beyond Haryana, with 11 individuals arrested across Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh for similar espionage activities, all lacking criminal records.
Wider Crackdown Across India
The arrests in Nuh are part of a nationwide operation targeting espionage activities linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). In a related case, Uttar Pradesh’s Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) arrested Nauman, a 24-year-old security guard from Kairana, Uttar Pradesh, on May 14, 2025, in Panipat, Haryana. Nauman, employed at a factory, was allegedly in contact with ISI handlers, including an individual named Iqbal, alias Kana, who fled to Pakistan in 1993. Nauman is accused of sharing sensitive information about military and train movements. During a search of his residence in Kairana, police recovered six passports, three belonging to his family, with the others under investigation. Nauman, whose aunt and cousin reside in Pakistan, facilitated passport services after his father’s death and faced no obstacles travelling to Pakistan. He has been remanded in police custody until May 20, 2025.
On May 18, 2025, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) arrested Shahzad, a businessman from Rampur, for sharing confidential information with ISI agents. Shahzad, who travelled to Pakistan for business, was reportedly tasked with recruiting individuals for the ISI in western Uttar Pradesh. He is believed to have connected over 20 people, including three women from Moradabad, Sambhal, and Rampur, to the ISI network. The Uttar Pradesh Police are actively searching for these individuals.
Earlier, on May 11, 2025, Punjab Police arrested Yameen Mohammad and Gazala, both 31, from Malerkotla for their alleged links to a Pakistani official at the High Commission. Gazala, who visited the Pakistan Embassy in February 2025 to apply for a visa, received Rs 30,000 for sharing sensitive information. Yameen was apprehended following Gazala’s interrogation, and both remain in police custody. Payments for their activities were reportedly made through online transfers.
In another case, Mohammad Murtaza, a resident of Jalandhar, Bihar, was arrested for developing an app used to transmit Indian news and sensitive information to Pakistan. Authorities recovered four mobile phones and three SIM cards from him. Murtaza came under scrutiny due to suspicious transactions worth Rs 40 lakh over a month, attributed to his technical expertise, which made him a valuable asset to the espionage network.
Tufail’s Arrest in Varanasi
On May 22, 2025, the Uttar Pradesh ATS arrested Tufail, son of Maqsood Alam, from Adampur, Varanasi, for his involvement in a Pakistan-sponsored anti-national organisation. Operating through WhatsApp groups, Tufail allegedly shared videos of Maulana Shad Rizvi, leader of Pakistan’s banned terrorist group Tehreek-e-Labbaik, and propagated messages related to ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind,’ avenging the Babri Masjid, and implementing Sharia in India. He sent photographs and information about key Indian sites, including Rajghat, Namoghat, Gyanvapi, railway stations, Jama Masjid, Red Fort, and Nizamuddin Auliya, to over 600 Pakistani numbers. Tufail was also in contact with Nafeesa, a woman from Faisalabad, Pakistan, whose husband serves in the Pakistani Army.
An FIR (No. 05/25) was registered against him under Sections 148/152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the ATS Police Station in Lucknow. A mobile phone and SIM card were recovered, and Tufail is set to be presented before a court for further legal action.
Ongoing Investigations and National Security Concerns
The series of arrests across Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Bihar points to a well-coordinated espionage network with potential links within India’s system. Authorities suspect the involvement of a larger, organised syndicate exploiting individuals with familial ties to Pakistan or frequent travel to the country. The use of seemingly innocuous professions, such as teachers, doctors, security guards, and businessmen, has raised alarms about the infiltration of espionage operatives into everyday communities.
Central agencies, including the ATS and STF, are working to uncover the full extent of the network, trace financial transactions, and identify additional recruits. The investigations are also examining the role of the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi, which appears to be a common thread in several cases. As the probe continues, authorities are urging heightened vigilance to safeguard national security.
