New Delhi: Central intelligence and security agencies have intensified a counter-intelligence operation after uncovering Pakistan-linked honey-trapping networks targeting young Agniveers posted at sensitive locations, sources said.
The probe focuses on the personnel’s social-media activity, digital conversations and financial trails to detect any leakage of restricted or operationally critical information to suspicious online accounts.
Young Recruits Under Digital Lens
Sources said several Agniveers deployed in sensitive locations, particularly across northern India, have been flagged for detailed examination as part of an ongoing internal security exercise.
Intelligence officials are combing their online footprints to check whether any classified or sensitive data was passed on to suspect social-media profiles.
“The personnel under scrutiny were found interacting with accounts that are now being investigated. Agencies are examining the duration and nature of these conversations, the information exchanged and the circumstances in which the personnel came into contact with the accounts,” a source in the intelligence agencies said.
Fake Profiles, Calculated Trust-Building
According to the source, the suspected modus operandi involves the creation of fabricated female identities on various social-media platforms.
These profiles reportedly initiate contact with young defence personnel, slowly building rapport through prolonged conversations before coaxing them into sharing photographs, personal details and work-related information, as reported by The New Indian Express.
The source said, “The suspected modus operandi involves fake female profiles created on social-media platforms. The profiles allegedly initiate contact with young defence personnel and gradually build familiarity through sustained conversations. After establishing a degree of trust, the targets may be encouraged to share photographs, personal details and information concerning their work.”
Agencies are paying close attention to chats where seemingly innocuous queries gradually veer towards deployment zones, movement schedules and other details of potential intelligence value.
They are also trying to ascertain whether these were one-off interactions or part of a coordinated effort to harvest information on military personnel and sensitive installations.
Financial Trails, Network Mapping
The financial angle is also being probed, with sources confirming that monetary transfers have surfaced in some instances.
However, the nature, quantum and purpose of these transactions vary, and investigators are working to determine if any payments were tied to attempts at extracting information or were unrelated to the online exchanges.
A list of suspected cases has reportedly been prepared and is being examined by the concerned agencies. Each case is being assessed separately on the basis of digital evidence, communication records and financial transactions. The agencies are also trying to determine whether the personnel were simply approached by suspicious accounts or knowingly shared sensitive information.
“The investigation is extending beyond individual accounts, with agencies attempting to establish links between multiple social-media profiles and identify possible handlers operating from outside India. Communication patterns, account activity and financial transactions are being analysed to determine whether apparently unrelated profiles form part of a common network,” the source said.
Given that many of the personnel involved are young and highly active on social media, agencies are casting a wider net to examine their overall digital behaviour rather than limiting the inquiry to specific chats.
TThe cases show how social media makes counter-intelligence harder, as fake identities can be created and relationships built without any face-to-face contact.
Agencies are reviewing each case separately and will decide on further action, including possible legal action, if evidence shows sensitive information was deliberately shared or other offences were committed, the source said.