India launches NIA probes into cross-border espionage using Indian SIM cards for WhatsApp from Pakistan

The National Investigation Agency has registered two distinct investigations into alleged espionage networks operating in West Bengal that exploited Indian mobile numbers for cross-border intelligence gathering. Four suspects have been named: Sheikh Mursalin and Goutam Khanra from Paschim Medinipur, and Sheikh Juhab and Sheikh Suman from Murshidabad, all accused of selling and activating Indian SIM cards and forwarding OTPs that allowed Pakistani handlers, likely linked to the ISI, to create WhatsApp accounts used to relay sensitive information.

Authorities estimate that roughly 400 SIM cards may have been activated in this manner over recent years. While the two cases are being investigated separately with no proven link, investigators are examining the possibility of a broader network supplying SIMs and facilitating OTP-based activation. Both investigations were previously handled by the West Bengal Special Task Force and were handed over to the NIA by the Ministry of Home Affairs as part of an intensified crackdown on Pakistan-linked espionage activities.