This chilling update underscores how deeply embedded and dangerous the ISI’s espionage and terror network remains across South Asia. The arrest of Ansarul Mian Ansari, a Nepali-origin ISI agent, marks a significant breakthrough in India’s ongoing efforts to preempt terror attacks. Here's a clear summary of key revelations and implications:
The Plot & Arrest
-
Ansari was apprehended in Delhi in a covert joint operation led by central intelligence agencies and the Delhi Police Special Cell between January and March 2025.
-
He had entered India via Nepal, reportedly on ISI instructions, and was preparing to return to Pakistan when caught.
-
Intelligence revealed he was assigned to procure and transmit sensitive Indian military documents to Pakistan.
Digital & Document Evidence
-
Forensic analysis confirmed the seized documents contained classified material pertaining to the Indian Armed Forces.
-
In addition to documents, authorities recovered digital evidence strengthening the espionage case.
Background & Radicalisation
-
Ansari met his ISI handler while working as a cab driver in Qatar—a known hub for foreign intelligence recruitment.
-
He was then flown to Pakistan, where he underwent brainwashing and training by ISI operatives before being sent to India.
The Network Unfolds
-
Based on Ansari’s confession, another operative, Akhlaq Azam, was arrested from Ranchi.
-
Azam reportedly played a critical role in helping Ansari transmit military intelligence to Pakistani handlers.
Larger Implications
-
The dismantled ISI module was likely planning a major terrorist strike, foreshadowed even before the Pahalgam massacre in April, where 26 civilians were killed.
-
The arrest is being hailed as a preemptive success that potentially prevented a large-scale terror attack.
Pan-India Sweep
-
Post-Pahalgam, India has intensified its crackdown on terror modules and ISI sleeper cells not just in J&K but also across major cities.
-
This forms part of a broader “pan-India sweep”, which has led to multiple arrests and cell busts in recent weeks.
This operation highlights a crucial dimension of modern security threats—covert agents, global recruitment routes, and urban sleeper networks. It also signals a renewed and expanded counter-intelligence thrust by Indian agencies, warning that ISI’s tactics are evolving, and so must India’s vigilance.
