The recent arrest of an Ambala resident for allegedly sharing sensitive military and air force information has brought renewed attention to Pakistan’s long-suspected honey-trap tactics. Intelligence agencies believe the case is part of a wider strategy in which Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) uses fake female identities to lure citizens of other countries into espionage traps.
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the Investigation Agency of Ambala police arrested Sunil Kumar, a resident of Sabga village, for allegedly passing confidential defence information to a Pakistan-based module. Investigators say the accused came in contact with Pakistan’s handlers through social media platforms and remained in touch for several months.
Ambala Superintendent of Police Ajit Singh Shekhawat said, “Sunil Kumar worked as a supervisor of construction work allotted to a private firm at Ambala Cantonment’s defence area. He was issued an admission card by the military authorities to enter the defence area for working in the construction area. He came into contact with a Pakistan-based module in the case of a honeytrap, through social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp. He was in contact with the module for about seven to eight months.”
Not the First Time: How Pakistan ISI Uses Women to Honey-Trap Citizens
Security agencies say the Ambala case reflects a method that Pakistan’s ISI has repeatedly used over the years. Instead of traditional espionage techniques, handlers now rely heavily on digital platforms and emotional manipulation.
Fake Female Profiles as the First Contact Point
ISI handlers often create convincing female profiles on social media, and these accounts use attractive photos, Indian names, and familiar cultural references. The aim is simple, and that is to gain trust quickly and make the target comfortable. Many victims believe they are talking to real women seeking friendship or companionship. Single or long-distance men are the easy target for them to show them care and intimacy.
Emotional Bonding Turns Into Intelligence Leakage
Once communication begins, the handler slowly builds an emotional connection. They do daily chats, late-night conversations, and personal attention to create a false sense of intimacy. Over time, the target begins to share personal details, work-related information, and routine updates that may appear harmless at first but later become strategically valuable.
Defence and Strategic Workers Remain Prime Targets
Investigations have shown that individuals working in defense areas, research organizations, factories, railways, or infrastructure projects are frequently targeted. In the Ambala case, Sunil Kumar had legitimate access to a sensitive defence zone due to his work, making him vulnerable to exploitation once trust was established online.
Money, Pressure, and Blackmail Follow
After initial information sharing, handlers may offer money or emotional support to push targets further. In some cases, they use private chats or shared images as leverage. The objective remains constant, and that is to extract classified or sensitive information that could harm national security. In the Haryana Spy case, where police arrested YouTuber Jyoti Rani for allegedly spying for Pakistan. She also travelled to Pakistan to share the information and was living a lavish life.
Ambala Spying Case Signals Rising Threat of Online Honey-Traps by Pakistan
The arrest of Sunil Kumar from Ambala shows how online deception can evolve into a serious security breach. Police registered a case against him under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for acts endangering the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India. A district court granted four days of police remand for further questioning.
Investigators are now examining whether the accused shared maps, photographs, or movement details related to military installations. Authorities are also probing possible financial transactions and digital footprints linked to foreign handlers.
Not Romance, But Psychological Warfare
Experts warn that these honey-trap operations are not random acts of deception. They form part of a broader psychological warfare strategy aimed at weakening national security from within.
By exploiting loneliness, curiosity, or emotional vulnerability, handlers turn ordinary citizens into intelligence assets without them fully realizing the consequences.
Why Ambala Case in Highlight?
The Ambala honey-trap case highlights the urgent need for awareness among individuals working in sensitive zones. Security agencies continue to caution against accepting friend requests from unknown profiles, especially those seeking prolonged private conversations.
What begins as a casual online chat can quickly turn into an intelligence operation with serious legal and national consequences. The Ambala arrest serves as a reminder that in today’s digital age, espionage often starts with a simple message,and a fake identity.
