Pakistani Female Operative Extracts Classified Data from Indian Navy Sailor at Coimbatore Facility, Counter Intelligence Arrests Him

Counter-intelligence sleuths have arrested a 31-year-old Indian Navy sailor for allegedly leaking classified maritime secrets to a Pakistani intelligence operative following a social media honey-trap operation.

The Andhra Pradesh Police Counter Intelligence (CI) cell apprehended Pradeep Mukherjee on October 3 at INS Agrani, a naval leadership training establishment in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.Mukherjee, a West Bengal native who joined the Navy in 2014, had been posted with the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam. He arrived at the Coimbatore facility just a week prior to attend a management development course when investigators moved in.

Digital Surveillance Triggers Training Facility Arrest

A female Pakistani intelligence operative reportedly established contact with Mukherjee several months ago. Over time, the handler cultivated an online relationship to extract sensitive information concerning strategic naval assets, fleet movements, and the operational framework of the Visakhapatnam base.

The specialized CI unit, which tracks cross-border espionage and terror threats, launched an inquiry after detecting suspicious digital footprints connected to the sailor. Agencies placed Mukherjee under strict surveillance to build the case before executing the arrest.

Multi-Agency Probe Expands Scope

Investigation teams are currently working to determine the full extent of the classified data transmitted to the foreign handler and ascertain if other personnel or links are tied to the cross-border espionage network.