New Delhi: In a major counter-espionage operation, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested Sahdev Singh Gohil, a multipurpose health worker from Kachchh. Gohil has been charged with sharing classified information related to the Border Security Force (BSF) and Indian Air Force (IAF) with Pakistani agents.
Gujarat ATS SP K Siddharth confirmed the arrest, detailing a clandestine network aimed at compromising India’s national security. “Gujarat ATS arrested Sahdev Singh Gohil, a multipurpose health worker from Kachchh,” Siddharth was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times. “We had information that he had been sharing information related to BSF and IAF with a Pakistani agent,” the report quoted the official.
According to ATS findings, Gohil’s alleged involvement began in June-July 2023, when he was contacted on WhatsApp by a woman identifying herself as ‘Aditi Bharadwaj’. Despite soon realising she was a Pakistani agent, Gohil reportedly proceeded to exchange sensitive military intelligence. His cooperation with the foreign operative escalated, with him allegedly providing photos and videos of under-construction or newly completed BSF and IAF sites via WhatsApp.
“While speaking to her, he came to know that she was a Pakistani agent. She asked for photos and videos of the BSF and IAF sites, which were under construction or newly constructed. He started sharing photos and videos through WhatsApp,” Gujarat ATS SP added.
Further investigations revealed that in early 2025, Gohil even procured a SIM card using his Aadhaar details and activated WhatsApp on it, specifically for ‘Aditi Bharadwaj’s’ use, facilitating continued intelligence transfer. “His phone was sent to the FSL. The WhatsApp numbers under Aditi Bharadwaj’s name were being operated from Pakistan,” Siddharth said.
The ATS stated that classified photos and videos concerning BSF and IAF infrastructure were subsequently transmitted from this number, which was being actively operated by the Pakistani agent. For his illicit activities, Gohil reportedly received Rs 40,000 in cash from an unidentified individual suspected to be part of the espionage network.
Following the preliminary inquiry on May 1, Gohil’s phone was sent for forensic analysis, which confirmed that the WhatsApp numbers linked to ‘Aditi Bharadwaj’ were indeed being operated from Pakistan. A case has been registered against Gohil and the Pakistani agent under Sections 61 and 148 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
