Mumbai: A Military Intelligence (MI) investigation has revealed that arrested Army jawan Sandeep Singh was identified as a highly valuable asset by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), which invested approximately Rs 12-15 lakh in him. Singh, a higher-paid mole in the espionage network, reportedly received payments both in cash and through bank transfers, including transactions directed to his family members. He was paid around Rs 8.50 lakh in cash, with the remaining amount deposited in various accounts.

Singh, who joined the Army in 2015, was posted as a clerk at the Deolali Camp in Nashik, where he allegedly leaked classified military information. In June 2024, he was assigned to an equipment repair station workshop, where artillery guns and other critical weapon systems were sent for repairs. According to intelligence sources, Singh had access to sensitive maintenance records, operational deployment details, classified defense logistics data, and training material. Investigators suspect that he transmitted this vital military information to ISI handlers, raising serious national security concerns.

Defense agencies are now examining whether the leaked information compromised national security or aided adversarial forces. Military Intelligence (MI) is currently investigating the role of external handlers, encrypted communications, and possible financial transactions linked to Singh.

According to intelligence sources, Singh was viewed as a long-term investment by ISI handlers, who expected that his clerical role would grant him increasing access to crucial military documents over time. The ISI believed that after his current tenure at Deolali, he would be transferred to another Army base, further strengthening his utility as a mole.

The case has exposed a wider espionage network involving multiple jawans, including the alleged mastermind, Rajbir Singh, who is absconding,Rajbir is believed to be a key ISI mole with strong ties to a cross-border drug cartel. His primary role was to recruit Army personnel into the espionage network and facilitate the transfer of classified military information to Pakistan’s intelligence handlers.

Amritpal Singh was Rajbir’s first recruit, followed by Sandeep Singh, who was drawn into the operation with promises of financial assistance due to his weak economic background. Over time, Sandeep became a high-value mole and a crucial ISI asset, actively aiding the network’s operations, including ISI-backed drug cartel activities and espionage.

Amritpal Singh, a Havildar assigned to a senior Army officer, played a critical role in the espionage network. He secretly photographed confidential documents from the officer’s chamber and sent them to his ISI handler. Additionally, he conspired with another Army soldier, Guruprakash Singh, to gain access to a senior officer’s chamber. Without Guruprakash’s knowledge, Amritpal stole classified military documents and forwarded them to the ISI handler.

Crucial evidence was recovered from Amritpal Singh’s phone, including his conversations with ISI handlers, proof of his involvement in the cross border drug syndicate, records of financial transactions, and copies of stolen military documents. This data was seized by the Amritsar rural police and later shared with Military Intelligence for further investigation.

During interrogation, Amritpal Singh disclosed information about Sandeep Singh, another Army constable who was on leave in Patiala. Based on this revelation, security agencies tracked him down. Meanwhile, Rajbir Singh, who was at the Deolali camp at the time, managed to flee and remained absconding.

Security agencies suspect that Rajbir may have recruited more soldiers into the espionage network. The investigation is now focused on identifying additional Army personnel who may have been compromised and assessing the extent of the security breach.