Vizag espionage case: NIA arrests key conspirator Abdul Rehman Shiekh
By Newsmeter Network Published on 6 Jun 2020 1:55 PM GMT
Visakhapatnam: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday, arrested Abdul Rehman Abdul Jabbar Sheikh (53), the key terror-funding conspirator in the infamous Visakhapatnam espionage case (Operation Dolphin -Nose). Investigation founds 11 Naval personnel allegedly leaked sensitive information to Pakistan’s spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence.
Abdul Rehman Abdul Jabbar Sheikh, is a resident of Mumbai and he is involved in the terror-funding along with his wife Shaista Qaiser and others, both have been arrested,said NIA sleuths. During the searches, a number of digital devices and incriminating documents were seized by the NIA.
It may be recalled that central intelligence agencies and Naval Intelligence teams busted the espionage racket linked to Pakistan in Vizag city, back in December 2019.
The NIA arrested Mohammed Haroon Haji Abdul Rehman Lakdawala, a resident of Mumbai, in May 2020. A probe found that he was one of the key conspirators in the case.
" With the arrest of Sheikh, 15 accused have been nabbed in the case, including 11 Navy personnel of Eastern Naval Command and Western Naval Command Pakistan-born Indian national Qaiser and her associates, said the NIA officials.
Investigation revealed, The Pakistan-based spies recruited agents in India for collecting sensitive and classified information regarding locations and movements of Indian naval war ships and submarines, and other defence establishments.
The NIA and Central Intelligence Agencies said that few Navy personnel came in contact with Pakistani nationals through various social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp, and were involved in sharing classified information in lieu of monetary gains.
The money was deposited into the bank accounts of the Naval personnel through Indian associates having business interests in Pakistan.
