In a major breakthrough, the Andhra Pradesh Counter Intelligence (CI) department has successfully dismantled a Pakistan-linked espionage network operating in the state. Under a massive operation named "Operation Firewall-2026," authorities have arrested two individuals on charges of sharing sensitive, high-level defense information with Pakistani agents. This case has triggered significant national security concerns, as 13 of the 18 suspects identified in this illicit network belong to the Indian Navy.
Who Are the Suspects?
Security officials have arrested two key suspects so far:
Annam Sai Vara Prasad: Arrested in Visakhapatnam, Prasad was working as a civilian contract driver for naval officers. Investigation revealed that he abused his access to pass highly confidential information regarding military movements and bases to Pakistani agents in exchange for money.
Pradeep Mukherjee: A Navy employee stationed at the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam. He was apprehended in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, where he was undergoing training. He is accused of sharing a crucial One-Time Password (OTP) with Pakistani agents, allowing them to activate and operate a WhatsApp account. AP officers brought him back to Vijayawada on a transit warrant.
Strict Charges and Court Remand
The counter-intelligence wing first registered a case on September 2, 2026, at the Vijayawada Counter Intelligence Police Station. The suspects have been booked under stringent laws, including:
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and The Official Secrets Act (OSA). On Wednesday, the Vijayawada District Court remanded both suspects to judicial custody until October 14, and they have since been moved to jail.
'Honeytrap' and Crypto Payments
Investigations have exposed an elaborate trap used by Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs). Using fake social media accounts with names like "Joshita Paul" and "Anvi Mehta," agents posed as women to befriend Indian Navy personnel. Through voice and video calls, they "honeytrapped" the targets, coercing them to leak confidential details about the Visakhapatnam naval base, warships, and submarine positions. Officials suspect that the agents used cryptocurrency to transfer money to the targets to keep the transaction trail hidden.
What is “Operation Firewall”?
Launched on October 1, "Operation Firewall" is an expansive, multi-state security crackdown. The AP Counter Intelligence, together with the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), local police forces, and Navy officials, has carried out raids across 10 states, including: Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Goa, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, and Bihar.
Investigators have seized numerous electronic devices, such as laptops and mobile phones, which are undergoing forensic analysis. The investigation is ongoing to determine the extent of the leaks and to probe the remaining 16 suspects, specifically the 13 Navy personnel, whose involvement could pose a grave risk to national security. Let me call the display tool to show you the generated illustrative image.