In what Indian intelligence officials describe as one of the most concerning espionage operations in recent years, a Pakistani businesswoman operating under the alias “Madam N” has emerged as a central figure in a transnational spy ring allegedly designed to exploit India’s digital influencer ecosystem.
Identified as Noshaba Shehzad, the Lahore-based woman ran a travel agency that facilitated religious pilgrimages, primarily to Sikh holy sites in Pakistan. But behind the facade of cross-border hospitality, authorities claim, was a meticulously orchestrated plan to infiltrate India’s social media space and recruit sleeper agents—many of them unsuspecting influencers, researchers, and amateur defense enthusiasts.
An Elegant Façade: Visa Processing and Pilgrimage Tours
Operating through her business “Aman Holidays,” Shehzad built connections across the border under the pretense of cultural outreach. Her firm was among those authorized to process visas for Sikh pilgrims traveling to Pakistan for events like Baisakhi and the Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrations.
Investigators say that under this humanitarian pretext, Shehzad quietly identified potential recruits—particularly those active on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube. Once contact was established, often under pseudonyms or using proxies, she allegedly introduced the recruits to operatives from Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
From Influence to Espionage: The Social Media Exploitation Game
According to officials familiar with the case, the targeted individuals were offered business deals, travel opportunities, and sometimes even romantic lures to win their trust. In return, they were encouraged to supply seemingly innocuous information about Indian military installations, troop movements, border activity, and socio-political sentiment.
“Madam N exploited a mix of ideological persuasion, personal bonding, and financial incentives,” a senior intelligence official said on condition of anonymity. “What began as a conversation about cultural exchange often ended with direct or indirect data sharing that violated national security norms.”
One such individual—Jyoti Malhotra, a Delhi-based influencer—has already been arrested under the Official Secrets Act. Officials say her digital trail connects directly to operatives linked to the ISI and intermediated by Madam N’s network.
The Broader Spy Ring Under the Scanner
The investigation, spearheaded by central intelligence agencies and state police units, has so far led to multiple detentions and electronic seizures. Analysts believe this network may be just one node in a wider matrix of digital-age espionage strategies employed by Pakistan to bypass traditional intelligence routes.
The role of religious diplomacy and pilgrimage tourism in this alleged espionage setup has also triggered diplomatic discussions, with India reportedly reviewing visa facilitation processes and cross-border people-to-people contacts.
“There is a delicate balance between encouraging religious freedom and preventing exploitation of goodwill,” an MEA official said. “Cases like this are a stark reminder of how that balance can be dangerously tilted.”