Vijayawada: Indian authorities have arrested two people in a Pakistan linked espionage investigation involving 18 suspects, including 13 personnel of the Indian Navy. The investigation, led by the Andhra Pradesh Counter Intelligence Cell, is examining whether sensitive defence information was shared with Pakistan linked intelligence operatives.
The arrests are part of a wider operation named Operation Firewall 2026, in which 12 Counter Intelligence teams were deployed across 10 states and Union Territories. Investigators are examining electronic devices, communications and financial transactions as they work to establish the full extent of the suspected network.
The two arrested suspects are Pradeep Mukherjee, an Indian Navy sailor, and Annam Sai Varaprasad, a civilian contract driver who worked for naval officers in Visakhapatnam.
Mukherjee was arrested on October 3 in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. He was attending a management development course at INS Agrani when he was taken into custody. He joined the Indian Navy in 2014 and was posted under the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam.
Varaprasad was arrested in Visakhapatnam. Investigators allege that he was involved in passing sensitive information to a Pakistan linked operative in return for money.
Both suspects have been remanded in judicial custody until October 14.
The case was registered by the Andhra Pradesh Counter Intelligence Police Station in Vijayawada on September 2, after authorities received information about suspected contacts with Pakistan Intelligence Operatives. The wider operation was launched on October 1.
The investigation is looking into a wider group of 18 people. Thirteen of them are personnel of the Indian Navy. However, authorities have not said that all 13 Naval personnel have been arrested or proven to have passed information to Pakistan. They remain under investigation.
Investigators are examining whether the suspects had direct contact with Pakistan Intelligence Operatives and what information, if any, was actually transmitted. The authorities have not publicly disclosed the full contents of the information allegedly shared or established the extent of any possible security breach.
According to investigators, the suspected network may have used social media platforms, messaging applications, false identities and financial incentives to establish contact with potential targets. Investigators are examining allegations that online relationships were used before sensitive information was sought.
The investigation is also examining the alleged use of Indian mobile numbers and WhatsApp activation codes. Police allege that some individuals were offered money to provide OTPs used to activate WhatsApp accounts.
Investigators are also examining cryptocurrency transactions and other financial transfers that may be connected to the suspected network.
The information allegedly sought by the suspected network includes details concerning naval establishments, ships, submarines, their movements and other sensitive defence information. Investigators are also examining whether photographs or videos of naval facilities and assets were shared during online communications.
However, it is not yet clear whether classified information was successfully transferred to Pakistani intelligence or what impact, if any, the alleged activity had on Indian naval operations. Authorities are continuing to examine the evidence.
Investigators are examining electronic devices seized from suspects as part of the investigation into their communications and activities. The evidence is expected to help authorities determine the nature and extent of the alleged contacts and information sharing.
There is no publicly established connection between the current investigation and earlier espionage cases involving Visakhapatnam.
For now, the confirmed development is that two people have been arrested while a larger group of 18 suspects, including 13 Naval personnel, remains under investigation. Authorities are continuing to examine the evidence before determining the involvement of the remaining suspects and the extent of any information that may have been compromised.