The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed a countrywide audit of CCTV networks after a Pakistan-linked spy ring was uncovered by police in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. The move comes amid concerns over the vulnerability of India’s surveillance infrastructure. According to sources, the advisory has been issued to all state police forces, and the review will cover major cities such as Delhi and Mumbai.

Officials have indicated that the exercise will go beyond a routine inspection. Authorities have been instructed to carry out a thorough physical verification of every CCTV unit operating in sensitive urban areas, regardless of whether the cameras are registered or not. The aim is to ensure that no surveillance equipment is functioning without the knowledge of security agencies.

“Police departments have been asked to map all installations, verify them with official records and flag any camera that cannot be accounted for,” a source said. The verification process will focus especially on locations that are considered strategically important. These include railway stations, cantonment zones, highways, and routes that witness regular military movement.

The advisory follows the busting of an espionage network that reportedly did not just misuse existing surveillance systems but also installed its own cameras at critical locations. Sources revealed that these covert installations were found in areas such as Delhi Cantonment Railway Station and Sonipat Railway Station. The discovery has raised serious concerns about how easily such systems can be misused if not monitored properly.

Investigations into the network have revealed that the group used advanced methods to ensure uninterrupted surveillance. “The group fitted their own cameras with solar power systems to ensure round-the-clock, uninterrupted footage, which was allegedly relayed live to ISI-linked handlers across the border. The probe revealed that the network had tasked and funded plans to install more such panels in different cities,” another source said. This finding has intensified the urgency of the nationwide audit.

Authorities believe that the presence of unverified surveillance devices poses a significant risk to national security. The MHA’s directive is aimed at eliminating any gaps in the monitoring system and strengthening control over surveillance infrastructure. By ensuring that every camera is accounted for, officials hope to prevent any future misuse by hostile networks.

The ongoing verification exercise is expected to be extensive and time-consuming, as it requires coordination between multiple agencies and state police departments. However, officials maintain that such a detailed review is necessary in light of the recent revelations. The goal is to create a more secure and transparent surveillance system across the country.