SOURCE: AFI
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two Malayalees, employed as contract workers at Cochin Shipyard, for allegedly leaking sensitive information about Visakhapatnam Shipyard to Pakistani spies.
The arrests followed extensive raids conducted by the NIA at Cochin Shipyard on Wednesday. The team inspected the shipyard, employee quarters, and other relevant locations, focusing on the potential espionage activities.
One of the contract workers was taken into custody and is currently being interrogated by the NIA. The shipyard, known for building the INS Vikrant and other significant vessels, has become a focal point of the investigation into the leaked information.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the security of sensitive defense information. In September 2019, five hard disks, five RAMs, and microprocessors were stolen from INS Vikrant, along with several cables and mechanical parts. The stolen hard drives contained crucial data about the Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS), a critical computer system used onboard ships.
The two Malayalees are accused of forwarding pictures of strategic ship parts, arrival of defense ships, maintenance details, and visits of VVIPs to Pakistani spies through social media. The information was allegedly shared with a female spy contacted online.
The NIA’s investigation into this matter highlights the ongoing threat of espionage and the importance of safeguarding sensitive defense information. The arrests of the two contract workers serve as a reminder of the need for stringent security measures to protect India’s national interests.