In the wake of the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22 April 2025 that claimed 26 lives, Indian security and intelligence agencies have intensified operations targeting individuals suspected of collaborating with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). On 1 May 2025, Rajasthan Intelligence arrested Pathan Khan, a resident of Noor-Ki-Chakki village in Jaisalmer district, for allegedly spying for the ISI for over a decade.
According to intelligence officials, Khan initially visited Pakistan in 2013 on a personal trip, during which he came into contact with ISI operatives. He was reportedly lured with money and later trained in espionage activities. Officials confirmed that Khan maintained regular contact with ISI handlers even after his first visit and continued to pass on sensitive and confidential information related to India’s defense infrastructure, particularly from areas along the Jaisalmer International Border.
The Director General of the Intelligence Department, Sanjay Agrawal, stated that Khan had been under surveillance based on internal intelligence inputs. He was detained on 18 March 2025, by local police while claiming to be a farmer named “Ravi Kishan,” with agricultural land in the Zero RD area of Noor-Ki-Chakki — a location close to the Indo-Pak border. After extensive questioning, he was formally arrested on 1 May 2025.
Investigators revealed that Khan used social media platforms and forged SIM cards to relay classified information to Pakistani handlers. He allegedly sent videos and photos of Border Security Force (BSF) personnel and their operations from protected zones. The ISI reportedly compensated him through various covert financial channels.
A case has been registered against Khan under the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and further investigations are underway to assess the extent of the breach and the volume of information shared.
Amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam massacre, Indian villagers living near the international border in Rajasthan have expressed strong support for the Indian Army and called for retaliation. Locals have constructed bunkers to shelter civilians and troops in case of a military escalation. They remain on high alert as the atmosphere grows increasingly volatile.
Speaking to ANI, Arjun Singh, an elderly resident from a border village, condemned the Pahalgam killings and advocated for a firm response. “It is absolutely necessary to respond to Pakistan. They keep provoking us, and what they did in Pahalgam, killing unarmed civilians, is unacceptable. The army must strike back,” he said. Recalling the 1971 war, he added, “I was in Ramgarh when bombs were falling. Back then, we helped the army in every way possible. Today also, we are ready to assist, no matter the hardship.”
In a parallel development, Pakistan has increased its military activity along the border. The Pakistani military has deployed air defense and artillery units at forward locations. The Pakistan Air Force is conducting three simultaneous exercises — Fiza-e-Badr, Lalkar-e-Momin, and Zarb-e-Haidari — involving its key fighter jets, including the F-16, J-10, and JF-17.
On April 30, the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan held a hotline conversation to discuss recent ceasefire violations. Indian defense sources stated that the Indian side issued a stern warning to Pakistan regarding the unprovoked small arms fire across the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border.
Indian forces responded effectively to the ceasefire violations on the night of April 27–28, particularly in areas opposite Kupwara and Poonch districts in Jammu and Kashmir.
The developments underscore escalating tensions between the two nations in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, as both security measures and military posturing intensify on either side of the border.
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