KKN Gurugram Desk | In a significant development, Indian intelligence agencies have uncovered a sophisticated espionage network allegedly orchestrated by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). At the center of this operation is a Pakistani businesswoman, known by the codename “Madam N,” identified as Noshaba Shehzad. Operating under the guise of a travel agency, Shehzad is accused of recruiting Indian social media influencers and others to gather sensitive information and propagate pro-Pakistan narratives within India.
Who is ‘Madam N’?
Noshaba Shehzad, a Lahore-based entrepreneur, runs ‘Jaiyana Travel and Tourism.’ Intelligence reports suggest that Shehzad, in collaboration with ISI, facilitated the travel of Indian nationals to Pakistan under the pretext of cultural exchanges and pilgrimages. These trips were allegedly used to indoctrinate individuals and involve them in espionage activities.
Modus Operandi
Shehzad’s strategy involved targeting Indian social media influencers, particularly from Hindu and Sikh communities. She offered them all-expenses-paid trips to Pakistan, during which they were introduced to ISI operatives and Pakistani military officials. These individuals were then allegedly coerced or incentivized to gather and transmit sensitive information upon returning to India.
Visa Facilitation and Embassy Connections
Investigations reveal that Shehzad had significant influence over the visa section of the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi. She maintained direct contacts with officials like First Secretary (Visa) Suhail Qamar and Counsellor (Trade) Umar Sheryar, enabling swift visa approvals for her recruits. Additionally, she liaised with ISI operative Danish, also known as Ehsan-ur-Rehman, who was expelled from India in May 2025 following the exposure of these espionage activities.
Scope of the Network
Over the past six months, Shehzad reportedly facilitated the entry of approximately 3,000 Indian citizens and 1,500 non-resident Indians (NRIs) into Pakistan. Many of these individuals were allegedly indoctrinated and tasked with espionage activities upon their return. Shehzad’s network extended to various Indian cities, where she appointed agents to promote her travel agency and recruit new individuals.
Financial Transactions and Propaganda
Shehzad’s operations were financially supported through exorbitant fees charged to Indian pilgrims for religious tours, with the surplus funds allegedly funneled into ISI activities. She also orchestrated the creation and dissemination of pro-Pakistan content on social media platforms, leveraging the influence of recruited Indian nationals to sway public opinion.
Arrests and Legal Actions
The Indian authorities have arrested several individuals linked to this espionage network. Notably, YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra from Haryana was apprehended for allegedly passing sensitive information to ISI operatives. Similarly, Jasbir Singh, a YouTuber from Punjab with over 1.1 million subscribers, was arrested for his involvement in the network. Both individuals reportedly had direct interactions with Shehzad and other ISI agents during their visits to Pakistan.
The exposure of ‘Madam N’ and her extensive espionage network underscores the evolving nature of intelligence operations in the digital age. By exploiting social media platforms and cultural exchanges, hostile entities can infiltrate and influence societies. This case serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and robust counterintelligence measures to safeguard national security.
