AP Police Expose Alleged Spy Network Targeting Naval and Defence Information

Andhra Pradesh Police have uncovered an alleged espionage network in which Pakistan Intelligence Operatives (PIOs) targeted Indian defence personnel using financial inducements, honey traps, explicit image exchanges and false promises to obtain sensitive and classified information. The revelations came as the Andhra Pradesh Counter Intelligence (CI) Cell arrested two people under Operation Firewall-2026 for allegedly passing defence-related information to Pakistan.

The arrested individuals were identified as Pradeep Mukherjee, a Navy employee working at the Visakhapatnam Naval Base, and Annam Sai Varaprasad, a contract driver attached to naval officials. Police said the two were detained on allegations of sharing information concerning naval and defence establishments with Pakistan. Investigators have so far identified 18 suspects, including 13 Navy personnel, and suspect their involvement in an espionage network with implications for national security.

According to police, women PIOs were particularly involved in establishing contact with defence personnel through fake social media profiles. They allegedly approached targets on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram before shifting conversations to WhatsApp once trust was established. Communication was then maintained through chats, voice calls and video calls.

Investigators said the operatives allegedly used honey-trap tactics to extract details about naval ships and submarines, including their movements, numbers, photographs, videos and information about commanding officers. They also sought sensitive details concerning defence establishments.

One operative using the name ‘Joshitha Paul’ allegedly posed as an employee of a shipbuilding company in Mumbai. Police said she contacted targets through Facebook and later WhatsApp before seeking information on naval vessels and submarines, allegedly offering money in return.

Another operative, ‘Anvi Mehta’, reportedly claimed to be a psychologist based in Delhi. She allegedly used voice and video calls to establish relationships with Navy personnel and sought photographs of naval vessels and sensitive defence locations. Police also alleged that she encouraged targets to display restricted areas during video calls.

The investigation has also uncovered an alleged WhatsApp OTP racket. PIOs reportedly offered financial benefits, including cryptocurrency payments, to obtain OTPs and activate WhatsApp accounts in Pakistan. These accounts were allegedly used to contact additional defence personnel and civilians.

Police suspect that Indian-registered SIM cards and their OTPs were supplied to the operatives through intermediaries. Payments to suspects were allegedly routed through cryptocurrency and middlemen. The investigation remains ongoing and has been described by police as highly sensitive.