Vishal Yadav Arrested: Navy Staffer Leaked 'Operation Sindoor' Details to Pakistan for ₹50,000

 June 26, 2025 – In a significant national security breach, an Indian Navy staffer stationed at the naval headquarters in Delhi has been arrested for allegedly leaking highly classified defense information, including details of Operation Sindoor, to a Pakistani intelligence operative. The staffer, identified as Vishal Yadav, reportedly fell victim to a deceptive online manipulation by a Pakistani handler posing as an Indian woman named "Priya Sharma."

Yadav, an Upper Division Clerk (UDC) in the Directorate of Dockyard at the Navy building, was apprehended on Wednesday in Jaipur by the intelligence wing of the Rajasthan Police. Inspector General of Police (CID-Security) Vishnu Kant Gupta confirmed the arrest, revealing that Yadav confessed to receiving approximately ₹2 lakh in total for the information he passed on. A critical detail includes a payment of ₹50,000 specifically for leaking information related to Operation Sindoor, with some of these payments made through cryptocurrency.

The espionage operation reportedly began on Facebook, where the Pakistani handler, using the fake identity "Priya Sharma," sent Yadav a friend request. Their communication rapidly intensified, migrating from Facebook to WhatsApp, and subsequently to Telegram, a platform favored by operatives for its encrypted messaging.

Investigators revealed that Yadav initially received smaller sums, typically ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹6,000, for less sensitive information. However, as the handler pressed for more critical material, he began sharing highly sensitive defense data for increasingly larger payments. "He was lured by money and ended up leaking sensitive information from the Navy headquarters," IG Gupta stated. Authorities suspect Yadav's vulnerability was exploited due to an addiction to online gaming and resulting financial losses, which made him desperate for funds.

Forensic analysis of Yadav's mobile phone has uncovered substantial incriminating evidence, including financial transactions, encrypted chats, and classified defense material exchanged with the Pakistani handler.

Operation Sindoor refers to a series of strategic strikes reportedly carried out by the Indian Armed Forces in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. These operations were undertaken in retaliation for the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which tragically claimed 26 lives. The leak of information concerning such a sensitive and crucial military operation has raised profound concerns about the potential damage to India's national security and strategic advantage.

Vishal Yadav is currently undergoing intensive joint interrogation by multiple intelligence agencies at the Central Interrogation Centre in Jaipur. The ongoing probe aims to assess the full extent of the leaked data and to identify any other individuals connected to this espionage network.

IG Gupta issued a stern warning about the evolving and increasingly sophisticated tactics employed by Pakistan's intelligence networks. "We are keeping a constant watch on such activities, and this arrest is a result of sustained monitoring and timely action," he said, urging the public to remain vigilant against suspicious online activities and deceptive overtures. This arrest is part of a broader, intensified campaign against Pakistani espionage rings operating within India.