AK-47 Facebook Cover Photo, College Dropout: Who Is The Alleged Spy Held In HP?

Last Updated:May 29, 2025, 15:14 IST

Abhishek Bhardwaj’s Facebook cover, a video uploaded on October 24, 2024, shows an AK-47 with his name spelled out in bullets—one of the most striking details on his profile

Sensitive and objectionable material was allegedly found on Abhishek’s mobile phone during the investigation. (News18 Hindi)

Abhishek Bhardwaj, the 18-year-old from Kangra arrested on charges of spying for Pakistan, had a striking social media presence that raised eyebrows. His Facebook profile featured a video as the cover photo, uploaded on October 24, 2024, displaying an AK-47 rifle with his name spelled out in bullets. Bhardwaj had been under long-term surveillance and is accused of sharing sensitive information via phone.

His arrest is part of a broader crackdown on espionage networks launched after Operation Sindoor (May 7–10). Recent arrests include CRPF jawan Moti Ram Jat from Rajasthan, contractual health worker Sahdevsinh Gohil from Gujarat’s Kutch district, and Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who has lakhs of subscribers and had visited Pakistan multiple times.

Abhishek Bhardwaj was produced in court on Thursday under heavy security, with his face covered and a team of officers escorting him.

Abhishek Bhardwaj’s Social Media Presence

According to reports, Bhardwaj has minimal activity on his social media profiles. He recently shared some photos on May 27, including images of the Baglamukhi temple. However, the most striking feature of Abhishek Bhardwaj’s Facebook profile is his cover photo—a video uploaded on October 24, 2024—showing an AK-47 with his name spelled out in bullets.

In addition, he has posted photos with Thar and Fortuner vehicles. One photo reportedly tags Shahzad Bhatti, a Pakistani don linked to grenade attacks in Jalandhar. However, it remains unconfirmed whether Bhardwaj actually tagged this individual.

How Bhardwaj Was Caught By Police

Based on secret information, District Dehra Police formed a special team under DSP Dadasiba’s leadership. For several days, police kept the suspicious youth under surveillance and gathered intelligence continuously. On May 28, the police raided Abhishek’s house and took him into custody at Dehra Police Station. During interrogation, he was identified as a resident of Sukhar, Kangra, and confirmed to be a college dropout.

Himachal Pradesh DGP Headquarters said sensitive and objectionable material was found on Abhishek’s mobile phone during the investigation, falling under punishable offenses as per Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). This section is applied when anti-national or sensitive content such as pornography, terrorism-related material or content inciting communal sentiments is discovered.

SP Dehra Mayank Chaudhary stated that a case was registered under relevant sections at Dehra Police Station, and the accused was arrested.

Rajasthan Government Employee Nabbed For Spying

Meanwhile, on Thursday, a government employee in Rajasthan has been arrested on charges of espionage for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The accused, identified as Shakur Khan Manganiyar, was detained from his office in Jaisalmer by a joint team comprising officials from the CID and intelligence agencies.

Khan, who worked in the state’s employment department, reportedly had links with the Pakistani High Commission, according to preliminary findings.

Investigators reportedly found several phone numbers with the Pakistani country code (+92) in his possession. During questioning, Khan failed to provide convincing answers regarding his communications and activities. He also admitted to having visited Pakistan on at least seven occasions in recent years, as per a Times of India report.

Location :

Kangra, India, India

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