Lucknow: A day after the arrest of a 24-year-old navy sailor for allegedly spying for Pakistan’s intelligence agency, investigators in the Uttar Pradesh anti-terrorist squad (ATS) are probing a wider espionage network and the possibility that more navy personnel of the same rank may have been targeted through similar honey-trap tactics on social media.The accused, a resident of Agra district, was arrested by the ATS on March 10 for allegedly sharing sensitive information related to Indian naval assets with a handler linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Officials said the investigation revealed that the sailor was honey-trapped nearly three years ago through a woman’s profile named “Angel” on Facebook, which was allegedly operated by an ISI-linked handler.According to ATS sources, the interaction initially began as a casual online conversation in 2023 but gradually developed into a close virtual relationship. Investigators believe the handler eventually gained the sailor’s trust and persuaded him to share details related to his posting and work.The arrested accused was posted as a leading sailor at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi, Kerala. Investigators said they recovered digital evidence indicating that he shared photographs and information related to Indian naval assets, including images of warships. “Such material is considered highly sensitive as it can potentially reveal operational and logistical details about defence infrastructure,” an official said.ATS sources said that financial transactions between the accused and the suspected handler also came under scrutiny, with investigators examining whether the espionage activity involved monetary incentives.The sailor was under ATS surveillance for the past two months, and when he took leave and came to Agra, the ATS unit became active and apprehended him from Cheetpur. He was brought to the ATS headquarters in Lucknow and, based on prima facie evidence recovered from his mobile phone and bank accounts, was arrested.He was produced before a court and sent to judicial custody. His electronic devices, communication records, and financial trails are currently being analysed.Investigators are examining whether the suspected handler approached or trapped other navy personnel through a similar social media profile.
