Pak-Linked Spying Network Busted: Two Operatives Jailed In Visakhapatnam Naval Espionage Case | World News

A special NIA court in Visakhapatnam has sentenced two key agents linked to a foreign espionage network in the high-profile naval espionage case. In a significant development in the ongoing investigation, the defendants were sentenced to five and a half and six years in prison.

With this verdict, the number of convictions in the case rose to four, further revealing how a well-coordinated blackmail managed to leak sensitive information from key Indian Navy bases.

Those convicted are Mohammad Haroon Haji Abdul Rehman Lakdawala of Mumbai, who was sentenced to five-and-a-half years simple imprisonment, and Imran Yakub Giteli of Godhra, Gujarat, who was sentenced to six years simple imprisonment. Both were found guilty under Sections 17 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), underlining the serious national security consequences of their actions.

NIA Special Court Sentences 2 More Accused in Visakhapatnam Navy Espionage Case pic.twitter.com/kZEYpz4nci— NIA India (@NIA_India) 17 October 2025

The NIA took over the investigation in December 2019 and unearthed what investigators described as a large-scale espionage module allegedly backed by Pakistani intelligence officers. So far, 15 people, including 11 Indian Navy personnel, have been arrested in connection with the case; This points to deep infiltration attempts at multiple naval stations not only in Visakhapatnam but also in Karwar and Kochi.

According to the NIA’s investigation, this was not just a random attempt at espionage but a carefully structured network created to extract and leak confidential details about Indian Navy ships, submarines and their operational movements.

The racket relied heavily on honey traps and illicit money channels to attract and maintain connections.

Investigators found that administrators, believed to be based in Pakistan, created fake identities on social media to reach individuals associated with maritime and defense agencies. Using deceptive interactions, often under the guise of friendship or love, they gradually lured targets into sharing information.

Once captured, these individuals were directed to transmit sensitive input via apps such as WhatsApp, ensuring the flow of intelligence remained stable and confidential.

The financial trail revealed another layer of the operation. It has emerged that Lakdawala and Giteli, now convicted, were in regular contact with Pakistani administrators and played a key role in moving funds across the border. Due to their family connections in Pakistan and frequent visits there, they reportedly engaged in unauthorized cross-border trade involving clothing and other goods.

Proceeds from this illegal business were used to pay naval personnel and civilian informants in exchange for classified information, thus helping to keep the espionage network active and well-financed.