NIA takes over Pakistan espionage case involving Indian Navy men

Ban on the use of smartphones & social networking platforms onboard ships and naval bases.

NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the espionage racket case in which seven Navy personnel were arrested for allegedly leaking sensitive information to Pakistan intelligence agency ISI. Meanwhile, the Indian Navy has issued directions to ban the use of all smartphones and social networking platforms on board ships and naval bases.

"All social networking platforms including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and other messengers from here on now will not be allowed at the naval bases and ships," said a senior Indian Navy officer.

The officer said that moreover no smartphones were allowed onboard ships and naval bases.

"The case was with the Andhra Pradesh Police and now the Ministry of Home Affairs has transferred the case to NIA," said a senior Indian Police Service officer.

On December 20, the Indian intelligence agencies busted an espionage racket linked to Pakistan with the arrest of seven Indian Navy personnel and a hawala operator. The arrest of the seven naval officials from Mumbai, Karvar and Vishakapatnam for leaking sensitive information about the movements of warships and submarines to Pakistani agents had exposed lapses in the security apparatus placed around critical assets in India. "Three sailors were arrested from Visakhapatnam, two from Karwar and two from Mumbai," said intelligence agencies which busted the espionage racket being run by Pakistan.

The agencies had stated that both Eastern and Western naval command centers, responsible for the security of the maritime borders with China and Pakistan, were exposed to these Pakistani agents.

"Some more suspects are being questioned," the agencies said.

The agencies pointed out that Vishakapatnam, the headquarters of the Eastern Command of the Indian Navy and also the base of the nuclear submarine Arihant, was exposed to the espionage racket. It also stated that the Eastern Command keeps vigil upon the suspicious Chinese ship movements in the Indian waters.

The western naval command is located in Mumbai from where all nefarious activities carried out by Pakistan were also exposed and so was Karvar, the naval center which has force's lone aircraft carrier Vikramaditya.

The Indian Navy, however, maintained that all of their critical assets were intact and there was no breach.

Earlier, the navy said: "In a joint operation with the Naval Intelligence and Central Intelligence Agencies, Andhra Pradesh Police arrested some junior navy personnel. The case is under investigation by the Andhra Pradesh Police. (IANS)

Also Read: Special NIA Court sent KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi to 14 day Judicial Custody

Also Watch: Minister Pijush Hazarika rebuts claims of paid crowd at BJP peace rally in Jagi Road