India arrests 11 accused of spying for Pakistan

Indian authorities say they have arrested 11 people who were spying for Pakistan. Local media reported this to the city police.

Muslim-majority Kashmir is claimed in full by both countries, which have fought several wars over the Himalayan region since independence from Britain in 1947.

Broadcaster NDTV reported on Monday that authorities had arrested nine alleged “spies” in the northern states of Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.

Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said on Monday that his team had arrested two men who were “involved in leaking sensitive military information.”

Police had received “credible intelligence” that the two men were involved in “sharing classified details” related to New Delhi’s attacks on Pakistani territory on the intervening night of May 6-7.

Yadav added that initial investigations showed that he was in “direct contact” with handlers from Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and “passed on important information related to the Indian armed forces.”

Police in Haryana arrested a travel blogger last week on similar charges.

According to local media, police said the accused woman had travelled to Pakistan at least twice and was in touch with an official from the country’s embassy.

The others arrested include a student, a security guard and a businessman.

The India Today news outlet reported 11 such arrests. It said the accused were “entrapped in the espionage network through social media, financial inducements, false promises, messaging apps and personal visits to Pakistan.”