AP counter-intelligence cell arrests two more from Bihar in espionage case

Investigators, working closely with Bihar anti-terrorism squad and local police, examined five suspects in Raxaul and seized electronic devices.

Andhra Pradesh counter intelligence cell has arrested two more persons from Bihar in an alleged espionage network in which one-time passwords (OTPs) linked to Indian SIM cards were shared with Pakistani intelligence operatives to activate WhatsApp accounts for spying on India’s defence establishments.

Raja Kumar and Aditya Kumar, alias Aditya Kumar Pandey, both residents of Raxaul near the Nepal border, were arrested during the second phase of ‘Operation Firewall’, launched on Oct 25. They were brought to Vijayawada and remanded in judicial custody until Nov 10 by a jurisdictional court on Wednesday.

Investigators, working closely with Bihar anti-terrorism squad and local police, examined five suspects in Raxaul and seized electronic devices.

A preliminary investigation provided sufficient grounds to arrest the two, officials said.

Raja Kumar, a point-of-sale agent, allegedly facilitated the activation of WhatsApp accounts using OTPs generated for several Indian mobile numbers. He is suspected of routing the OTPs through handlers in Nepal to Pakistani intelligence operatives. Investigators also found that he allegedly arranged a bank account in another person’s name to receive payments for supplying the OTPs.

The probe has linked some of the mobile numbers to Pakistani operatives who sought classified information warships and submarines of the Eastern Naval Command in

. An operative, using the name ‘Soni’ or ‘Soni Queen’, contacted Annam Sai Vara Prasad, a civilian contract driver engaged by naval officers. Another operative, identified as ‘Joshita Pall’, allegedly attempted to induce personnel in Visakhapatnam to sensitive information by transferring money.

Aditya Kumar reportedly worked with Raja Kumar and other associates, maintaining with Pakistani agents identified as Wasim, Sultan and Nayeem through WhatsApp and other encrypted platforms. He is also suspected of using bank accounts held in other people’s names to receive funds linked to the activities.

The case was registered on Sept 2 under various provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Official Secrets Act. AP CI cell earlier arrested Annam Sai Vara Prasad in Visakhapatnam on Oct 1 and naval employee Pradip Mukharjee in Coimbatore on Oct 3. Both remain in judicial custody at Vijayawada district jail.

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