Navy sailor held in Andhra Pradesh over alleged information leak

The Andhra Pradesh Counter Intelligence Cell 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, according to sources cited by The Hindu. The sailor, identified as Pradeep Mukherjee, joined the Indian Navy in 2014 and is posted with the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam. He was attending a training programme in Coimbatore when he was arrested on October 3.

Preliminary information from the Counter Intelligence Cell’s investigation indicates that Mr. Mukherjee met a woman on social media several months ago. According to the sources, the woman was a Pakistani intelligence operative who gradually developed a relationship with him.

Investigators allege that the operative obtained sensitive information about the Navy from the sailor. The material supplied and the extent of any disclosure were not detailed in the source report. The Counter Intelligence Cell first detected suspicious digital activity linked to Mr.

Mukherjee, the sources said. He was subsequently placed under surveillance before the arrest was made. Mr.

Mukherjee is being brought from Coimbatore to Andhra Pradesh under a prisoner transfer warrant, according to the report. He is expected to be produced before a court in Vijayawada on October 5. The allegations remain subject to the investigation and court proceedings.

The source material did not provide details of the charges filed, the specific information allegedly shared or any response from the Navy or the accused.