New Delhi: The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested 28-year-old contractual health worker Sahdevsinh Gohil on May 24, 2025, for allegedly sharing classified Border Security Force (BSF) and Indian Navy information with a Pakistani agent via WhatsApp. The arrest follows heightened tensions after the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
Espionage Uncovered in Kutch
Acting on intelligence received on April 29, 2025, the Gujarat ATS identified Gohil, a resident of Narayan Sarovar in Kutch’s Lakhpat taluka, as a suspect. Employed at a primary health centre in Mata No Madh, Gohil allegedly transmitted photos and videos of BSF posts and Indian Navy facilities near the India-Pakistan coastal border. “Gujarat ATS arrested Sahdevsinh Gohil for sharing sensitive BSF and Navy information with a Pakistani agent,” said ATS Superintendent of Police K. Siddharth in Ahmedabad.
Contact with Pakistani Agent
Investigations revealed that Gohil began communicating with a Pakistani agent, posing as “Aditi Bharadwaj,” via WhatsApp in July 2023. At her behest, he shared images and videos of military offices and ongoing construction in sensitive border areas. In January 2025, Gohil procured a SIM card under a different name, providing the WhatsApp OTP to the agent, enabling her to operate an account linked to his number from Pakistan. Forensic analysis confirmed the WhatsApp numbers were operated from Pakistan, with chats and multimedia files containing classified data recovered from Gohil’s phone.
Financial Incentives and Legal Action
Gohil reportedly received ₹40,000 in cash for sharing the information, indicating a pattern of contractual espionage. The ATS registered a case against Gohil and the agent under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 61 (criminal conspiracy) and 148 (waging war against the government). A special ATS team, formed after consultation with central agencies, detained Gohil on May 1 for questioning, leading to his formal arrest.
Broader Espionage Concerns
This arrest marks the third espionage case in Gujarat within eight months, highlighting a disturbing trend of Pakistani operatives using digital platforms to recruit insiders. Previous cases involved leaks of Indian Coast Guard data, underscoring vulnerabilities in coastal security zones. A 2024 ATS report noted increased espionage attempts along Gujarat’s border, urging stronger counterintelligence measures.
