New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday launched a coordinated search operation across 15 locations in eight states in connection with an espionage case linked to Pakistan-based intelligence operatives, media reports said.

Searches were carried out at the premises of suspects allegedly connected to Pakistani handlers in Delhi, Mumbai (Maharashtra), Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Assam, and West Bengal, reported India Today.

During the operation, NIA teams seized several electronic devices, sensitive financial documents, and other incriminating materials.

These are now under detailed examination for leads into what investigators describe as a Pakistan-backed espionage racket intended to further an anti-India terror conspiracy.

According to the agency, the individuals targeted in the raids were acting as financial intermediaries for espionage operations on Indian soil.

The case was formally registered on May 20, following the arrest of an individual accused of passing sensitive national security-related information to Pakistani operatives since 2023.

The suspect allegedly received funds through domestic conduits in exchange for classified data.

The case is being investigated under several stringent legal provisions, including sections 61(2) (criminal conspiracy), 147 (waging or attempting to wage war against India), and 148 (conspiracy to commit offences) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 3 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923 (unauthorised communication of secret official information), and Section 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

The crackdown follows the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, after which Indian security agencies intensified their counter-espionage operations.

At least 12 individuals have been arrested in recent weeks from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, as part of an ongoing probe into what officials suspect is a wide-reaching Pakistan-linked spy network operating across northern India.

Among those arrested are two women with a prominent digital presence.

Jyoti Malhotra, a resident of Haryana, had over 3.77 lakh YouTube subscribers and 1.33 lakh Instagram followers, while 31-year-old Guzala from Punjab was also taken into custody.

Both were allegedly in contact with Pakistani officer Ehsan-ur-Rahim, also known by the alias Danish.

Rahim was posted at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi but was expelled.

The NIA is continuing its investigation into the espionage network and is expected to make further arrests as evidence is analysed.