Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Andhra Police Arrest Two in Pakistan-Linked Espionage Probe
Andhra Pradesh police have arrested two people while investigating an alleged spying network.
Pradeep Mukharjee worked at the Visakhapatnam naval base, and Annam Sai Varaprasad was a civilian driver for naval officers.
Police say 18 people are suspected in the case, including 13 naval personnel.
They allege that Varaprasad shared sensitive information and received money.
They also allege that Mukharjee shared a phone code used to activate a WhatsApp account, communicated with intelligence operatives and passed on information.
Investigators say information about Visakhapatnam and other strategic places was sent through encrypted channels.
Police launched Operation Firewall–2026 on October 1, sending teams across 10 states and Union Territories.
The investigation is continuing, and the allegations have not been established in court.
Andhra Pradesh police arrested naval employee Pradeep Mukharjee and civilian contract driver Annam Sai Varaprasad.
Police say the investigation involves 18 suspects, including 13 naval personnel, in an alleged espionage conspiracy.
Varaprasad is accused of sharing sensitive defence information and receiving money; Mukharjee is accused of sharing a WhatsApp activation OTP, communicating with operatives and sharing information.
Investigators say information about Visakhapatnam and other strategic locations was allegedly shared with Pakistan Intelligence Operatives through encrypted channels.
Operation Firewall–2026 began on October 1, deploying 12 Counter Intelligence Cell teams across 10 states and Union Territories; the investigation is ongoing.
- Who
- Andhra Pradesh Counter Intelligence Cell; arrested suspects Pradeep Mukharjee and Annam Sai Varaprasad; police say 18 people are under investigation, including 13 naval personnel.
- What
- An investigation into an alleged espionage conspiracy and suspected sharing of sensitive defence information with Pakistan Intelligence Operatives.
- When
- The case was registered on September 2; Operation Firewall–2026 began on October 1, and arrests were reported on October 6.
- Where
- The case was registered in Vijayawada; Mukharjee was arrested in Coimbatore and Varaprasad in Visakhapatnam. Teams operated across 10 states and Union Territories.
- Why
- Police say they received information that people were allegedly in contact with Pakistan Intelligence Operatives and sharing sensitive information about defence establishments and strategic locations.
Police allegations
Legal status
Suspected information sharing
Police allegations
Police allege the two arrested men shared sensitive defence information with Pakistan Intelligence Operatives, and say the wider investigation involves 18 suspects.
Legal status
The reports describe allegations and an ongoing investigation; they do not report a court finding establishing the suspects' guilt.
Alleged recruitment methods
Police allegations
Police say female operatives used fake social-media profiles, inducements and attempted honey traps to target defence personnel.
Legal status
These accounts are presented as police claims; the reports do not provide a response from the accused.
- People under investigation
- 18 suspects, including 13 naval personnel
- Arrested
- Pradeep Mukharjee and Annam Sai Varaprasad
- Operation
- Operation Firewall–2026
- Operation launch
- October 1
- Deployment
- 12 Counter Intelligence Cell teams across 10 states and Union Territories
- Alleged information shared
- Information about defence establishments and strategic locations, including Visakhapatnam
- Reported investigative steps
- One report says 10 suspects were detained during the operation and electronic gadgets were seized
- Status
- The investigation is ongoing; reports say both arrested men were in judicial custody until October 14
Sources
AP CI Cell Busts Alleged Espionage Module with Pak Links
Visakhapatnam naval base staffer, driver held for ‘sharing information with Pakistan’
13 of 18 suspects in Vizag's Pak spy ring are navy personnel
After Navy sailor, his civilian driver arrested in Andhra over Pakistan-linked espionage
2 arrested in Andhra for spying for Pakistan, including naval staffer
2 Arrested Over Pak-Linked Spy Module In Andhra, Many Naval Personnel Among Suspects