The Counter Intelligence Cell of the Andhra Pradesh Police has arrested a 31-year-old Indian Navy sailor for allegedly leaking classified maritime information to a Pakistani intelligence operative through a social media honey trap, officials said on Sunday.
Pradeep Mukherjee, who joined the Indian Navy in 2014, was arrested on October 3 at INS Agrani, a naval leadership training facility in Coimbatore, where he was attending a management development course. Posted with the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam, Mukherjee had arrived at the Coimbatore facility barely a week earlier.
A months-long online relationship
According to officials, a female Pakistani intelligence operative contacted Mukherjee on social media a few months ago. Over time, investigators allege, the handler cultivated an online relationship with the sailor and used it to extract sensitive information about the Navy — including details of strategic naval assets, fleet movements and the operational framework of the Visakhapatnam base.
The Counter Intelligence Cell first detected suspicious digital activity linked to Mukherjee and placed him under surveillance. After establishing his alleged involvement in transmitting sensitive information, investigators obtained clearance from naval authorities before making the arrest at the training establishment.
Transit to Vijayawada
Mukherjee is being brought from Coimbatore to Andhra Pradesh on a prisoner transfer warrant and will be produced before a court in Vijayawada on October 5, officials said. The investigation is continuing into how much information was compromised and over what period.
The case is the latest in a string of espionage arrests in which security personnel have allegedly been targeted through online honey traps run by foreign intelligence handlers.
Sources:
Navy sailor arrested for allegedly leaking classified information to Pakistani intelligence operative — The Hindu
Bengal sailor in Indian Navy leaks defence data to female Pakistani operative, arrested in Coimbatore — Telegraph India
Indian Navy Sailor held for leaking classified defense data to female Pakistani operative — DT Next
Pradeep Mukherjee, who joined the Indian Navy in 2014, was arrested on October 3 at INS Agrani, a naval leadership training facility in Coimbatore, where he was attending a management development course. Posted with the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam, Mukherjee had arrived at the Coimbatore facility barely a week earlier.
A months-long online relationship
According to officials, a female Pakistani intelligence operative contacted Mukherjee on social media a few months ago. Over time, investigators allege, the handler cultivated an online relationship with the sailor and used it to extract sensitive information about the Navy — including details of strategic naval assets, fleet movements and the operational framework of the Visakhapatnam base.
The Counter Intelligence Cell first detected suspicious digital activity linked to Mukherjee and placed him under surveillance. After establishing his alleged involvement in transmitting sensitive information, investigators obtained clearance from naval authorities before making the arrest at the training establishment.
Transit to Vijayawada
Mukherjee is being brought from Coimbatore to Andhra Pradesh on a prisoner transfer warrant and will be produced before a court in Vijayawada on October 5, officials said. The investigation is continuing into how much information was compromised and over what period.
The case is the latest in a string of espionage arrests in which security personnel have allegedly been targeted through online honey traps run by foreign intelligence handlers.
Sources:
Navy sailor arrested for allegedly leaking classified information to Pakistani intelligence operative — The Hindu
Bengal sailor in Indian Navy leaks defence data to female Pakistani operative, arrested in Coimbatore — Telegraph India
Indian Navy Sailor held for leaking classified defense data to female Pakistani operative — DT Next
