Jammu: A 24-year-old youth from Jammu’s Makwal border area has come under scrutiny after allegedly being trapped in a social media honeytrap linked to Pakistan’s intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence, with investigators suspecting that sensitive military-related visuals were shared through Snapchat.
The accused, identified as Karn Kumar, is alleged to have been contacted by a woman posing as a Delhi-based professional working for an international company. Officials believe the profile was part of a coordinated attempt to extract classified or sensitive information from individuals living near strategic border regions.
Social media honeytrap used to target youth
According to security sources, the woman allegedly built contact with the unemployed youth through Snapchat, gradually gaining his trust by offering job opportunities and financial incentives.
The accused was reportedly persuaded to share photographs and videos of areas close to military installations and security force movements. Officials suspect that the engagement was carefully designed to avoid detection by using casual conversations and fake professional identity details.
Investigators said such honeytrap operations often rely on emotional manipulation, financial temptation and false job promises to extract sensitive information from vulnerable individuals.
Allegations of sharing sensitive visuals
Sources said Karn Kumar allegedly sent images and videos of military camps and nearby areas to the woman over a period of time. The communications are now being examined by security agencies to determine the extent of information shared and whether it could compromise operational security.
Officials are also verifying whether the visuals contained any strategic or classified details related to troop movement or border infrastructure.
The case has raised concerns over increasing attempts by foreign-linked operatives to exploit social media platforms for intelligence gathering activities.
Mobile phone sent for forensic analysis
Security agencies have seized the accused’s mobile phone and sent it to the Forensic Science Laboratory for detailed examination. Officials believe the device may contain critical evidence, including deleted chats, media files and contact details linked to the suspected espionage network.
Sources said the accused allegedly attempted to delete conversations and files after sharing the material, possibly in an effort to erase digital traces. However, forensic experts are confident that deleted data can still be recovered using advanced retrieval techniques.
The investigation is now focused on reconstructing communication timelines and identifying any additional handlers or intermediaries involved in the suspected network.
Probe expands to identify wider network
Agencies are also trying to determine whether Karn Kumar acted alone or was part of a larger coordinated espionage network operating across social media platforms.
Officials are examining digital footprints, IP logs and messaging patterns to trace the origin of the suspected operatives and their possible links across borders.
The involvement of fake professional identities, particularly those posing as job recruiters or corporate employees, has emerged as a recurring tactic in similar cases, according to security officials.
Rising concern over online recruitment traps
Security experts have repeatedly warned that border regions are increasingly vulnerable to digital recruitment traps, where individuals are targeted through social media platforms and lured with promises of employment or financial gain.
Such cases highlight the growing challenge faced by law enforcement agencies in monitoring encrypted communication channels and international social media platforms used for covert intelligence activities.
Officials have urged citizens, especially those living near sensitive areas, to remain cautious while interacting with unknown profiles online.
Conclusion
The investigation into the alleged Snapchat honeytrap case continues as security agencies work to establish the full extent of information shared and identify any broader espionage network. The case has once again highlighted concerns over the misuse of social media platforms for intelligence gathering near sensitive border regions.