Social media honeytrap? Indian Navy sailor arrested over alleged Pakistan-linked espionage

Coimbatore: A 31-year-old Indian Navy sailor has been arrested in Coimbatore for allegedly sharing sensitive naval information with a woman suspected of being linked to Pakistani intelligence, according to officials and reports.

The Andhra Pradesh Police Counter Intelligence (CI) Cell arrested Pradeep Mukherjee, a sailor from West Bengal, at INS Agrani in Coimbatore on October 3, while he was attending a Management Development Course. He had reportedly arrived at the naval training establishment about a week earlier.

Mukherjee joined the Indian Navy in 2014 and was posted under the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam. Investigators allege that he was contacted on social media several months ago by a woman suspected of being a Pakistani intelligence operative.

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According to the reports, the online relationship was allegedly used to obtain sensitive information concerning naval assets, vessel movements and operational arrangements linked to the Visakhapatnam naval base. Investigators have described the alleged method as an online honeytrap.

The CI Cell reportedly detected suspicious digital activity linked to Mukherjee and placed him under surveillance. After investigators allegedly established his involvement in transmitting sensitive information, they obtained clearance from naval authorities before arresting him at INS Agrani.

After his arrest, Mukherjee was produced before a local magistrate, where investigators obtained a transit warrant. He was subsequently taken to the Counter Intelligence headquarters in Vijayawada for further questioning.

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The investigation is examining the nature and extent of the information allegedly compromised. Authorities are also looking into whether the sailor received money and whether any payments were made through digital channels or hawala networks.

The allegations against Mukherjee have not been established in court, and the investigation remains ongoing. Reports also indicate that no detailed public statement from the Indian Navy or Andhra Pradesh Police had been issued on the case at the time of publication.