In a brazen act that reeks of desperation, Pakistan has once again resorted to its time-worn espionage tactics in an attempt to penetrate India’s high-security naval defences. According to top security sources, Pakistan’s notorious spy network, operating under the guise of Indian Navy officials, attempted to extract classified information regarding critical Indian warships stationed at INS Kadamba in Karwar and Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam. This revelation comes just days after the Indian government responded with firm resolve to the heinous Pahalgam terrorist attack, widely believed to be orchestrated by Pakistani-backed elements.
These fresh provocations are being viewed not only as a gross violation of international norms but also as a reflection of Islamabad’s growing insecurity and frustration as India continues to fortify its defence infrastructure and tighten internal security following cross-border threats.
Spy Calls Target Naval Bases
The attempted espionage, detected in the last week of April, involved Pakistani intelligence agents impersonating Indian naval officers in phone calls directed at personnel stationed in Karwar and Visakhapatnam. The objective was clear: elicit sensitive information on major war assets, including the INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, the formidable INS Vikramaditya, and other key vessels like INS Subhadra.
Fortunately, the targeted officers showed exemplary vigilance by immediately reporting the suspicious calls to their superiors. The internal security apparatus of the Indian Navy responded swiftly, issuing advisories across naval installations. In particular, a red alert was circulated within the officer groups at Karwar, urging heightened caution and reiterating the standing protocol of zero tolerance towards disclosure of operational details.
Honeytrap Tactics: An Old Playbook Revisited
Intelligence officials have further revealed that Pakistani operatives attempted to “honeytrap” naval officers, a tactic long employed by ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence) to exploit human vulnerabilities for gathering strategic intelligence. While no breach was reported in this instance, the fact that such methods are still in active use demonstrates Pakistan’s relentless pursuit of compromising Indian security.
According to defence analysts, this pattern is not new. Pakistan has frequently relied on unconventional warfare tactics — digital intrusion, psychological operations, and espionage — to undermine Indian sovereignty, particularly when diplomatic avenues fail to gain its leverage.
Past Espionage Incident Still Fresh in Memory
These fresh infiltration attempts evoke memories of a similar episode in August 2024, when the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested three individuals — Sunil Naik, Veen Randel, and Akshay Ravi Naik — all hailing from villages near Karwar. The trio was caught red-handed sharing photographs and sensitive details of the Kadamba Naval Base and the INS Vikramaditya with Pakistani handlers in exchange for money. That scandal led to a complete ban on mobile phones within the premises of the naval base, a measure that remains in force today.
Pakistani Desperation Post-Pahalgam
The timing of these recent attempts is telling. Just days after the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir — an act that killed several civilians and security personnel — the Government of India adopted a series of decisive security measures. These included a renewed crackdown on cross-border terror financing and the expansion of intelligence coordination between agencies.
In retaliation, Pakistan appears to be stepping up its covert operations, now targeting India’s strategic defence installations. Experts say this move reflects Islamabad’s frustration and failure to achieve military parity with India through conventional means.
National Security Tightened
Responding to these developments, senior Navy officials have reiterated that no operational or technical data was leaked and that the force remains on high alert. The Navy is reportedly enhancing surveillance systems and implementing advanced vetting mechanisms for digital communication within sensitive zones.
“Pakistan continues to live in the illusion that its Cold War-era tricks can breach India’s modern defense intelligence,” remarked a former naval intelligence officer on condition of anonymity. “But the Indian armed forces are not just prepared; we are ten steps ahead.”
India’s Stand: Zero Tolerance
The Ministry of Defence is expected to issue a formal statement on the incident. Sources indicate that a diplomatic protest note may be sent to Islamabad if further evidence links the calls directly to Pakistani agencies. Meanwhile, additional cyber counterintelligence units have been activated to trace the origins of the calls and prevent any recurrence.
In conclusion, the failed espionage attempt serves as yet another reminder of Pakistan’s duplicitous approach toward India — publicly calling for peace while covertly fanning the flames of conflict. As New Delhi strengthens its defence corridors and regional maritime dominance, it’s clear that no amount of rogue tactics from across the border will succeed in breaching India’s resolve or sovereignty.
Tightened Security Along Karwar Coast
In a large-scale maritime security operation, officials from the Indian Coast Guard, Karnataka’s coastal security division, and local police units launched a high-alert inspection drive along the Arabian Sea coast near INS Kadamba, India’s premier naval installation in Karwar. The move follows credible intelligence inputs from national agencies regarding potential security threats approaching from the sea.
The operation began earlier this week and involved meticulous screening of all vessels entering Uttara Kannada’s coastal boundaries. Every fishing boat, commercial craft, and private marine vessel is subject to inspection as part of the sweeping security initiative. Officials stated that the intensified checks ensure no suspicious maritime movement escapes scrutiny.
“We are conducting comprehensive inspections of all floating craft reaching the district’s waters,” confirmed Uttara Kannada Superintendent of Police M. Narayan. “So far, there has been no detection of unauthorised or suspicious activity, but we are leaving nothing to chance.”
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