NIA Charges Another In Indian Navy Espionage Led By Pakistan

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday filed charges against an additional individual in the Indian Navy espionage case, which involves Pakistani intelligence operatives.

Amaan Salim Shaikh is a central figure in the case, which revolves around a plot by Pakistani agents to ‘honey-trap’ Indian Navy personnel to obtain confidential information about defense establishments.

The counter-terrorism agency, which submitted an additional chargesheet on Friday in the NIA special court at Visakhapatnam, accused Amaan, a Mumbai (Maharashtra) resident, under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

After taking over the case on June 5 last year, the NIA discovered during its investigation that Amaan was collaborating with a suspected Pakistani agent named Usman to advance the anti-India conspiracy.

The investigation revealed that he was also receiving funds from other suspected Pakistani operatives, including Meer Balaj Khan, Alven, and several other individuals, through cryptocurrency channels to carry out tasks assigned by the Pakistani intelligence operatives.

On November 6, 2023, the NIA filed charges against two individuals in relation to the case.

Ongoing investigations into the case, initially lodged at the Counter Intelligence Cell police station of Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh, are currently in progress.