Three men have been arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on charges of providing Pakistani intelligence agents with confidential information concerning Indian defense institutions. With the help of local police, the three men—Vethan Laxman Tandel, Akshay Ravi Naik, and Abhilash P. A.—were taken into custody on Tuesday.
The NIA claims that the accused used social media to communicate with Pakistan Intelligence Operatives (PIOs) and exchanged sensitive information concerning the naval bases in Kochi and Karwar for cash. For eight months, the accused was paid ₹5,000 each month.
In January 2021, a broader spy network came to light, which includes this case. Since taking over the case in June 2023, the NIA has made eight arrests. Five people have already been charged by the CIA, including two Pakistani operators who have escaped. The NIA’s probe into the matter is still ongoing.
