Indian Navy Staffer Held for Spying for Pakistan During Operation Sindoor

An Indian Navy employee posted at the naval headquarters in Delhi has been arrested on charges of espionage, after being accused of sharing sensitive military information with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), including during the recently concluded Operation Sindoor.

The accused, Vishal Yadav — a resident of Haryana and employed as a clerk — was arrested by the Rajasthan Police’s intelligence unit following sustained surveillance. Authorities allege Yadav was in touch with a female ISI handler through social media and was paid for leaking confidential information related to naval operations.

Senior police official Vishnukant Gupta confirmed that Rajasthan's CID Intelligence had been monitoring ISI-linked espionage activity and had tracked Yadav’s frequent interactions with a woman who identified herself as “Priya Sharma,” suspected to be a Pakistani intelligence operative. Forensic analysis of Yadav’s phone revealed years of communication and data sharing, including during Operation Sindoor — a counter-terror military operation launched by India in retaliation to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which left over two dozen civilians dead.

Investigators also discovered that Yadav, allegedly addicted to online gaming, had suffered heavy financial losses. He is believed to have received payments through cryptocurrency accounts and direct bank transfers, adding a financial motive to his actions.

Currently, Yadav is being questioned at the Central Interrogation Centre in Jaipur by multiple intelligence agencies. Officials are trying to determine how much sensitive information was compromised and whether others are linked to the espionage ring.

This arrest comes amid a wider crackdown on espionage networks suspected of working with Pakistani intelligence. In recent days, several individuals have been taken into custody across the country for maintaining contact with ISI agents, especially through social media platforms.

Among them, a Rajasthan government employee named Shakur Khan was earlier detained in Jaisalmer on similar charges. Meanwhile, in a separate case, Haryana-based YouTuber and vlogger Jyoti Malhotra was also arrested. She allegedly remained in contact with a Pakistani officer stationed at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi during Operation Sindoor, which saw an intense four-day military confrontation between May 7 and 10.

Also Read: Punjab Police Nab Spy for Leaking Army Details to ISI During Operation Sindoor