NIA Detains Three Additional Suspects in ISI-Related Espionage Case in Vizag
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Synopsis
The NIA has detained three more individuals linked to the ISI espionage case in Vizag. This brings the total arrests to eight, with ongoing investigations into the sharing of sensitive naval information and foreign intelligence operatives' involvement.
Key Takeaways
- Three more arrests made in the ISI espionage case.
- Total arrests in the case reach eight.
- Suspects were in contact with Pakistani intelligence via social media.
- Investigations reveal sharing of classified naval information.
- NIA continues to probe the entire conspiracy.
Visakhapatnam, Feb 19 (NationPress) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has detained three additional suspects in connection with the espionage case linked to the Pakistani ISI in Visakhapatnam, which involves sensitive and classified naval defense information.
The NIA announced on Wednesday that the arrests took place in Karnataka and Kerala, aided by local law enforcement.
Vethan Laxman Tandel and Akshay Ravi Naik were apprehended in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, while Abhilash P. A was taken into custody in Kochi on Tuesday. This brings the total number of arrests in the case to eight.
All three detainees were reportedly in contact with Pakistan Intelligence Operatives (PIOs) via social media, sharing sensitive details regarding Indian defense establishments at Karwar Naval Base and Kochi Naval Base, and receiving payments from PIOs in return for the information, according to NIA investigations.
So far, the NIA has filed charges against five individuals, including two absconding Pakistani operatives, in a case initially registered by the Counter Intelligence Cell of Andhra Pradesh in January 2021 under sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 121 (A) (conspiracy to commit specific offenses against the state), and sections 17 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, which pertain to penalties for financing terrorism and conspiracy. The Counter Intelligence Cell, which initiated the case on January 12, 2021, also invoked section 3 of the Official Secrets Act, which outlines penalties for espionage.
NIA investigations have uncovered that Pakistani national Meer Balaj Khan, alongside arrested suspect Akash Solanki, was implicated in the espionage operation concerning the leak of critical information about the Navy, as part of an anti-India conspiracy. In addition to Meer Balaj and Solanki, the NIA has charged another absconding PIO identified as Alven, as well as Manmohan Surendra Panda and Amaan Salim Shaikh in this matter.
In June 2023, the NIA assumed control of the investigation after the Andhra Pradesh police suspected the involvement of foreign intelligence agents.
The anti-terror agency is actively investigating the case to expose the full extent of the espionage conspiracy orchestrated by Pakistani and other anti-national elements.
In August of the previous year, the NIA conducted raids at 16 locations across seven states as part of its investigation. These operations targeted properties linked to suspects believed to have received funds from the ISI and its operatives in exchange for confidential information pertaining to the Indian Navy.
Akash Solanki, hailing from Firozabad in Uttar Pradesh, was employed at the naval dockyard in Visakhapatnam. Manmohan Surendra Panda and Aman Shaikh were allegedly involved in the honey trapping of officials at the dockyard to extract information through escorts arranged by the ISI.
