With reference to the espionage case in Kathua, consider the following statements: 1. The accused provided live surveillance feeds to ISI handlers via a SIM-enabled CCTV camera. 2. The espionage payments were reportedly routed through local Indian banking channels. 3. The accused was lured into espionage activities through social media platforms. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

How Pakistan's ISI Lured Truck Driver Into Becoming Border Spy In Kathua

GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Border management· Prelims + Mains· 20 September 2026

Hybrid warfare and high-tech espionage: a GS3 Internal Security case study on border surveillance.

Why in news

Jammu and Kashmir Police and intelligence agencies arrested a 24-year-old man from Kathua for allegedly providing live surveillance feeds to ISI handlers via a SIM-enabled CCTV camera.

Background

The accused, Aman, was allegedly lured through social media and received Rs 20,000 via Dubai-based channels. He installed a SIM-enabled CCTV camera outside his house to livestream footage of security forces near the border in Kathua.

Facts for Prelims

FactThe accused was arrested in Kathua district for espionage activities.
FactThe surveillance feed was allegedly provided to ISI handlers via a SIM-enabled CCTV camera.
FactPayments for the espionage were reportedly routed through Dubai-based channels.

Prelims practice question

With reference to the espionage case in Kathua, consider the following statements:

The accused provided live surveillance feeds to ISI handlers via a SIM-enabled CCTV camera.
The espionage payments were reportedly routed through local Indian banking channels.
The accused was lured into espionage activities through social media platforms.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)3 only
(b)1 and 2 only
(c)1 and 3 only
(d)2 and 3 only

Show answer

Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only — Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is incorrect: The payments were reportedly routed through Dubai-based channels.

For Mains

Q. Discuss the growing threat of high-tech espionage and social media-led radicalization in border regions and suggest measures to counter such hybrid security threats.

Dimensions to cover in your answer

Technological vulnerability: Exploitation of commercial SIM-enabled IoT devices for real-time surveillance
Digital recruitment: Use of social media as a low-cost, high-reach tool for clandestine intelligence gathering
Financial obfuscation: Use of third-party international channels to facilitate illicit payments for espionage

Keywords: hybrid warfare · high-tech espionage · border security · cyber-surveillance · radicalization

Read the full news →Source: NDTV ↗

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This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.