Intelligence Agencies Bust Espionage Racket, Arrest Seven Indian Navy Personnel Allegedly Spying For Pakistan

Intelligence agencies have busted an espionage racket linked to Pakistan with the arrest of seven Indian Navy personnel and a hawala operator, officials said on Friday (20 December).

The arrests were made from various parts across the country. More suspects are being questioned, they said.

Andhra Pradesh State Intelligence Department in association with the central intelligence agencies and Naval Intelligence busted the racket under an operation named "Dolphin's Nose".

The accused were produced before NIA court in Vijayawada on Friday. They were remanded to judicial custody till 3 January. Further details are awaited.

Visakhapatnam is the headquarters of Eastern Naval Command.

"They all hail from different parts of the country but are stationed in Visakhapatnam. The investigation is going on. We cannot share any more information at this juncture," said Gautam Sawang, director general of police (DGP), Andhra Pradesh, reports Bangalore Mirror.

The operation was named Dolphin’s Nose, as some officers stay at service quarters at Dolphin Hill. The quarters, built about 10 years ago, accommodate officer from sailors to commissioned officers.

Police suspect these officers had leaked information to terror groups in Pakistan. The espionage racketeers are said to have roped in government officials for spying.

(With inputs from IANS)