Andhra Pradesh Police have arrested two people, including a Navy employee, in a suspected Pakistan-linked espionage network, with 18 people under the scanner, including 13 naval personnel, officials said on Tuesday.
The Andhra Pradesh Counter Intelligence (CI) Cell said the suspects were allegedly in direct contact with Pakistan Intelligence Operatives (PIOs) and were suspected of sharing sensitive information about defence establishments and strategic locations in India through encrypted communication channels.
“The Andhra Pradesh Counter Intelligence Cell received credible information regarding certain persons in India allegedly maintaining direct contact with Pakistan Intelligence Operatives (PIOs) and their suspected involvement in an espionage conspiracy prejudicial to the national security of India,” PTI quoted a press release.
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“Two suspects were arrested after a prima facie role was established in this case, and further investigation is going on for the remaining suspects,” it said.
13 Navy Personnel Among 18 Suspects
The probe, being conducted under 'Operation Firewall-2026', covers 18 suspects, of whom 13 are naval personnel. The CI Cell has been working with police and security agencies in 10 states and Union Territories as part of the investigation.
Police said sensitive information related to the Visakhapatnam naval base and other defence establishments was allegedly shared with Pakistan-linked operatives. Electronic devices have also been seized during searches.
Navy Employee Arrested In Coimbatore
One of those arrested is 31-year-old Pradeep Mukherjee, a Navy employee who had been posted under the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam. He was arrested in Coimbatore while attending a management development course at INS Agrani.
According to investigators, Mukherjee had allegedly been in contact with a female Pakistani intelligence operative whom he met through social media. Officials suspect the operative used an online relationship to obtain sensitive information concerning naval assets and operations.
Police have also alleged that Mukherjee shared an OTP to help activate a WhatsApp account allegedly used by a Pakistan-linked operative. His digital communications and the information he may have shared are being examined.
Civilian Driver Also Held
The second arrested accused is Annam Sai Varaprasad, a civilian contract driver engaged for naval officers in Visakhapatnam.
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Police allege that Varaprasad passed sensitive information concerning naval and defence establishments to a Pakistan-linked operative and are also investigating whether he received money in return.
Both Mukherjee and Varaprasad have been sent to judicial custody until October 14. The investigation is continuing to determine the role of the remaining suspects and the extent of the information allegedly shared with Pakistan-linked operatives.