In a significant security breach, three individuals have been arrested for allegedly passing sensitive information about Indian naval bases to foreign intelligence operatives. The accused, identified as Vethan Laxman Tandel and Akshay Ravi Naik from Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka, and Abhilash PA from Kochi in Kerala, were reportedly in contact with Pakistan Intelligence Operatives (PIOs) through social media platforms.
According to officials from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the arrests were made on Tuesday with the assistance of local police in Ankola and Karwar. A specialized six-member NIA team from Hyderabad, led by two deputy superintendents of police (DSPs), conducted the operation based on critical intelligence inputs. The individuals were allegedly involved in sharing classified details, including photographs of restricted zones and naval movements, with a woman who had posed as a marine officer.
Confirming the development, Karwar Superintendent of Police (SP) Narayan M stated that NIA officers had interrogated five personnel associated with the Karwar naval base at the Karwar City police station on Tuesday morning. Following a detailed inquiry, three individuals were released, while Tandel and Naik were taken into custody after confessing to sharing confidential information about the naval base.
The two suspects were subsequently subjected to medical examinations at the district hospital before being produced in the district court, which remanded them to NIA custody. Authorities revealed that the duo had leaked photographs of highly secured and prohibited zones within the naval bases.
Investigations further indicated that the accused were engaged in espionage activities, providing classified details about the Karwar and Kochi naval bases in exchange for monetary compensation. The authorities suspect that their social media interactions with the foreign intelligence handlers played a crucial role in facilitating the breach.
The arrests underscore the persistent threats to national security posed by cyber-espionage and social media-based intelligence operations. Security agencies are now working to trace the broader network involved in this espionage ring while intensifying counter-intelligence measures to prevent further breaches of classified information.
The case continues to be under investigation as NIA officials seek to uncover additional leads and ascertain the full extent of the espionage activities.

Naval Base (image source: Construction Week India)

NIA busts espionage ring, arrests three for passing classified naval info to foreign operatives

Espionage Scandal: 3 Arrested for Leaking Naval Secrets

NIA busts espionage ring, arrests three for passing classified naval info to foreign operatives

February 19, 2025 | 21:23 IST