Navy Headquarters Clerk Arrested Over Alleged Espionage Linked to ISI in Honey-Trap Case
A significant security breach has led to the arrest of Vishal Yadav, a clerk stationed at the Navy headquarters in Delhi, accused of leaking crucial naval information to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The Rajasthan police's intelligence division apprehended Yadav following an extensive surveillance operation.
Sources indicate that Yadav, hailing from Haryana, was caught in a honey-trap set by a woman identifying as Priya Sharma, believed to be an ISI operative. Investigators claim the woman exploited Yadav's financial struggles, worsened by losses in online gaming, to coax him into handing over classified defense documents in exchange for money.
Among the leaked documents were critical details concerning Operation Sindoor, a precision military strike conducted by India on May 7, 2025, aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure. This breach has prompted a high-level investigation into potential insider threats within India's defense establishment.
The arrest was made possible after authorities recovered incriminating communications from Yadav’s mobile device, which revealed frequent contact with the ISI handler and multiple transmissions of sensitive information. A joint team of intelligence and defense security officers is currently interrogating Yadav at the Central Interrogation Center in Jaipur to assess the full scope of the breach and uncover any possible accomplices.
Security experts caution that this incident is part of an increasing trend in honey-trap espionage targeting personnel within the Indian armed forces. Analysts report a 40% increase in such cases globally over the past two years, where individuals are often exploited via social media and messaging applications.
In response, the Indian Navy and other defense agencies are reassessing internal security measures, placing a renewed emphasis on cyber awareness and counter-espionage strategies. There are growing calls for enhanced background checks, psychological evaluations, and monitoring of digital activities for personnel with access to classified data.
The arrest of Vishal Yadav highlights the persistent and evolving threat posed by espionage in the digital age, emphasizing the urgency of implementing robust safeguards to protect India's national security interests.
