Report: John Wilbert
Sri Vijaya Puram 10th January 2025: On 8th January 2025, the Ograbraj Police Station registered a complaint against two individuals associated with the Air Force Station under the Andaman and Nicobar Command for allegedly leaking sensitive defence-related information to Pakistani intelligence agents through WhatsApp.
Investigations revealed that in 2023, a Pakistani agent posing as a Garrison Engineer from Delhi contacted a civil engineer employed by a local private company working under a defence establishment. Believing the agent’s credentials, the civil engineer provided the contact details of a DG Operator working at the Port Mourt Defence Station.
The agent then manipulated the DG Operator, promising a secure government job under the MES (Military Engineer Services) Department. Over the past 18 months, the DG Operator reportedly shared sensitive defence updates, field photographs, GPS locations, and other classified information.
The Indian Intelligence Bureau (IB), upon intercepting suspicious communications, traced the activities back to the suspects and alerted the Andaman and Nicobar Command. Following an internal investigation, both the DG Operator and the civil engineer were identified as suspects, and a formal police complaint was lodged. The DG Operator was detained, and the case was handed over to the Central Crime Station on 9th January 2025 for further investigation.
The civil engineer, however, was released on bail due to insufficient evidence directly linking him to the espionage activities. Meanwhile, the DG Operator remains in custody, and a joint interrogation involving the Police, Defence officials, and the Intelligence Bureau is underway to unravel further details of the case.
This incident underscores the ongoing need for heightened vigilance in protecting national security and preventing breaches of sensitive information.
