Cross-border love or covert mission?: Spy mystery deepens as Nagpur woman’s chats with Pakistani contacts surface | Nagpur News

NAGPUR: A 43-year-old woman from Nagpur, Sunita, finds herself at the centre of a high-stakes investigation after being charged with espionage under Official Secrets Act (OSA) late Sunday. Handed over to Border Security Force (BSF) by Pakistani authorities at Attari on Saturday, Sunita’s case raised suspicions of spying amid escalating tensions along the Line of Control (LoC).The Amritsar rural police registered a ‘zero FIR’ under OSA against her, and she was handed over to Nagpur’s Kapil Nagar police on Monday night for further investigation. The former nurse will be brought back to the city in the next 48 hours.

Sunita’s mysterious journey began on May 14, when she abandoned her 15-year-old son in Hundermaan, a frontier hamlet in Kargil, and crossed the LoC into Pakistan-occupied territory. Initial findings suggest she traversed a treacherous mountainous stretch to meet two Pakistani contacts — Zulfikar and a “pastor” — with whom she communicated extensively via social media. Security agencies, now in possession of her cellphone, are scrutinising her chats, which reportedly reveal exchanges of private details, hinting at a relationship that may extend beyond personal affection.

The case baffled authorities because Pakistani agencies detained Sunita for nine days before handing her over to BSP at Attari, 700km from where she crossed the LoC at Kargil. A senior Punjab police official stated, “Her crossing over to PoK during heightened tensions raises serious concerns. We cannot rule out the possibility of her acting as a spy and sharing sensitive information with Pakistani agencies. The case is under detailed investigation.” The timing and circumstances of her detention fuelled speculation about her motives.This is not Sunita’s first attempt to breach the border. Earlier in March 2025, she was apprehended at Attari, while trying to cross into Pakistan but was sent back due to concerns about her mental health. This time, however, her actions led to slapping of serious charges under the anti-espionage law. Amritsar rural police, led by senior superintendent Maninder Singh, initiated the legal process, with the case set to be transferred to Nagpur police for further probe.Nagpur zonal DCP Niketan Kadam confirmed that a team from Kapil Nagar police station will bring Sunita back to the city for a thorough probe into her background and motives. “We will investigate all aspects, including her communications and intentions,” Kadam said. The case exposed potential security vulnerabilities, given Sunita’s ability to cross the LoC undetected.Sunita’s interactions with Pakistani contacts raised questions about whether her actions were driven by love or if she was unwittingly drawn into a larger espionage plot. Sunita’s case underscores the complexities of cross-border interactions in a digital age, where personal relationships can intersect with national security concerns.Earlier, Kargil police had registered a missing case. A similar missing case was registered at Nagpur’s Kapil Nagar police station too. Kapil Nagar police will investigate the fresh offence against Sunita. Kargil Child Welfare Committee chairperson Niyaz Ali stated they have received permission from their govt to escort Sunita’s son back to Nagpur.