New Delhi, June 20 (IANS) The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is increasingly exploiting the Pakistan-based relatives of Indian citizens to blackmail and force individuals into its espionage networks, intelligence sources have revealed. The strategy primarily targets residents in the border districts of Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir to extract sensitive information about the Indian armed forces.

An official said that in several recent cases, Indian nationals recruited by the ISI tried to withdraw from spying activities after facing heightened scrutiny from Indian security agencies.

“To counter this, the ISI has reportedly turned to family members of Indian recruits living in Pakistan. These relatives are allegedly coerced into pressuring the recruits to continue their spying activities,” the official said.

An Intelligence Bureau official said that the Pakistani agency has specifically identified relatives of Indians residing in Pakistan as a vulnerable group that can be used for recruitment and retention purposes.

“The relatives themselves are often under pressure. For their own safety and security in Pakistan, they are forced to cooperate with the ISI and assist in influencing or recruiting their family members in India,” the official said.

Another senior official said that Pakistan is willing to employ every possible method to strengthen its espionage network in India.

“The intention is to gather as much information as possible about the Indian armed forces,” the official said, adding, “This explains the emphasis on recruitment efforts in Rajasthan and, to a lesser extent, Jammu and Kashmir.”

Investigators say that while both regions remain important targets, the focus has shifted increasingly towards Rajasthan. According to officials, the ISI is attempting to establish a larger and more organised network in the border state.

“The emphasis on Rajasthan is greater today than on Jammu and Kashmir. Security scrutiny in Jammu and Kashmir has increased significantly, making operations there difficult. Rajasthan has, therefore, emerged as a major area of interest for the ISI,” an official said.

Security agencies have observed that espionage-related activities are concentrated around the border districts of Barmer, Bikaner and Sri Ganganagar. These areas are considered strategically important because of their proximity to military installations and border infrastructure.

Investigators noted that not all recruits willingly participate in spying operations. Several individuals have reportedly declined recruitment offers, while others initially agreed but later sought to disengage.

According to officials, this is where pressure from relatives in Pakistan becomes critical to the ISI’s strategy. Family members are allegedly instructed to convince recruits to continue their activities. They are also warned that failure to cooperate could result in adverse consequences for relatives living in Pakistan.

“Recruits are told that the Pakistani establishment cannot guarantee the safety of their family members if they refuse to continue,” an investigator said.

Officials described the practice as a clear form of coercion and blackmail. They added that relatives residing in Pakistan often have little choice but to comply with the demands placed upon them.

“Many of these families live under constant fear. They face threats of harassment, social ostracism or even expulsion from the country if they do not cooperate,” an official said.

The issue came into sharper focus on Friday with the arrest of Mushtaq Ali in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district on allegations of spying for the ISI. During questioning, Ali allegedly told investigators that his handlers had instructed him to help build an espionage network in Rajasthan. He was also tasked with collecting information from border areas, with particular emphasis on military-related activities and installations.

Officials said that during interrogation, Ali described how relatives living in Pakistan were being used as recruitment tools. He allegedly recounted the pressure faced by family members and the threats issued to compel participation in espionage operations.

Ali further stated that although he had initially engaged in spying activities, he later wanted to withdraw because of the growing risks and pressure associated with the work. However, according to investigators, he eventually resumed contact with the network after relatives in Pakistan urged him to continue.

–IANS

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