A Pakistani national living in Delhi without valid travel documents has been detained by the Delhi Police Crime Branch following inputs from Military Intelligence, officials said. The man, identified as Muhammad Adnan, a resident of Karachi, was apprehended by the Crime Branch’s Anti-Robbery and Snatching Cell (ARSC) team on August 15 after intelligence agencies flagged his presence in the national capital.

According to investigators, Adnan was found staying in Delhi despite not possessing a valid visa or other travel documents. During questioning, police recovered a Pakistani passport from him and began examining his travel history, contacts and activities.

The probe revealed that Adnan had originally entered India along with his mother and siblings on a Long Term Visa (LTV), which remained valid until July 23, 2022. He had been residing in the Delhi-6 area and was reportedly working as a chef.

Police said Adnan legally travelled to Pakistan on December 30, 2022, through the Attari-Wagah border along with his wife, Zainab. His wife later returned to India through regular immigration channels in August 2024.

However, investigators allege that Adnan re-entered India through Nepal in May 2025 without completing the required immigration formalities. After returning, he allegedly resumed living in Delhi.

Given the security implications of an undocumented Pakistani national residing in the capital, multiple agencies joined the investigation. Officials said Adnan’s movements and communication records were examined through Call Detail Record (CDR) and Internet Protocol Detail Record (IPDR) analysis.

Investigators found that he had contacts across several states, including Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Karnataka. These links were scrutinised from a security perspective.

Officials from Military Intelligence, the Intelligence Bureau (IB), Delhi Police Crime Branch and the Special Cell also questioned him to verify his background, activities and possible security concerns.

Authorities said no immediate security threat has been publicly disclosed, but the matter was treated seriously given the ongoing concerns over cross-border infiltration and espionage-related activities.

The arrest comes amid heightened vigilance by security agencies following several recent investigations involving alleged Pakistan-linked espionage and terror networks.

Earlier this month, Delhi Police arrested an Indian Air Force Wing Commander accused of sharing sensitive defence information with a suspected Pakistani operative. Separately, security agencies have also reported the busting of alleged Pakistan-backed terror and arms-smuggling networks operating in and around Delhi-NCR.

Following verification of available inputs, authorities have recommended Adnan’s deportation to Pakistan.

On August 17, the DCP (Special Branch) issued a restriction order against him. Adnan is currently being housed at Seva Sadan in Lampur, while the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) is expected to initiate the formal deportation process.