In a significant breakthrough, the Delhi Police, in collaboration with central intelligence agencies, have successfully dismantled a network of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) sleeper cells operating within the national capital. The covert operation, spanning three months from January to March 2025, culminated in the arrest of two ISI agents and the recovery of crucial classified documents related to India’s armed forces.
One of the key arrests made was that of Ansarul Mian Ansari, a Nepali-origin individual, who was apprehended in Delhi while reportedly attempting to flee to Pakistan. Investigations revealed that Ansari, who previously worked as a cab driver in Qatar, was recruited by an ISI handler there. He subsequently underwent training in Pakistan by top ISI officials before being sent to India via Nepal, with the explicit task of gathering sensitive military information. Ansari was allegedly instructed to compile a CD containing classified documents and transmit it to his handlers in Pakistan.
Following Ansari’s interrogation, another individual, Akhlaque Azam, was arrested in Ranchi. Azam is suspected of providing logistical support to Ansari within India, and suspicious conversations between the two and their Pakistani handlers were uncovered from their mobile devices, suggesting a wider conspiracy.
A chargesheet in the case has been filed, and both arrested individuals are currently lodged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail.
This operation comes amidst heightened vigilance against external threats and a broader crackdown on sleeper cells across the country. Security agencies have intensified their efforts, especially following recent cross-border tensions and incidents like the Pahalgam terror attack, which prompted India’s “Operation Sindoor” – a military response targeting terrorist infrastructure.
The successful neutralization of this ISI sleeper cell network underscores the continued efforts of Indian security forces to safeguard national interests and counter espionage activities aimed at destabilizing the country. Further investigations are underway to identify and apprehend any other individuals involved in this intricate network.