New Delhi, Feb 19: The NIA has apprehended three individuals for disclosing sensitive information to intelligence operatives based in Pakistan, as announced by the anti-terror federal agency on Wednesday.
These individuals were sharing critical information regarding Indian defense establishments located at Karwar Naval Base and Kochi Naval Base, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) stated in a press release.
Vethan Laxman Tandel and Akshay Ravi Naik were arrested in Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka, while Abhilash P A was taken into custody in Kochi, Kerala, the agency reported.
All three suspects, who were arrested on Tuesday with the help of local police, were found to have been in contact with Pakistan Intelligence Operatives (PIOs) via social media platforms, the agency indicated.
According to NIA investigations, they were transmitting sensitive information about Indian defense structures at Karwar Naval Base and Kochi Naval Base and receiving compensation from PIOs in return for this information.
A total of eight individuals have been arrested in connection with this case thus far, including the three recent captures, as per the statement.
The NIA has officially filed charges against five individuals, including two absconding Pakistani operatives, related to this case that was initially filed by the Counter Intelligence Cell of Andhra Pradesh in January 2021.
NIA investigations have revealed the involvement of Pakistani national Meer Balaj Khan and another individual, Akash Solanki — who has since been apprehended — in the espionage ring concerning the leakage of vital information about the Indian Navy as part of an anti-India plot, the report stated.
An additional absconding PIO, Alven, along with two others — Manmohan Surendra Panda and Amaan Salim Shaikh — have also been charged by the NIA. The agency took command of the case in June 2023.
The anti-terror agency will persist in its investigation to uncover the espionage conspiracy orchestrated by Pakistani and other anti-national elements, the statement confirmed. (Agencies)
