Andhra Pradesh police have arrested two men from Raxaul in Bihar for allegedly helping Pakistani intelligence operatives activate WhatsApp accounts using Indian mobile numbers in exchange for money.
The accused have been identified as Aditya Kumar Pandey, 23, and Raja Kumar, 24. Their arrests were made during the second phase of Operation Firewall 2026, launched on October 25, according to an official statement issued on Wednesday.
A joint team of Andhra Pradesh and Bihar police carried out the arrests in Raxaul, a town near the India Nepal border. The accused were taken to Vijayawada and produced before a local court, which remanded them to judicial custody until November 10.
How the Alleged Network Operated
According to Andhra Pradesh’s Counter Intelligence Cell, Raja Kumar, a point of sale agent, allegedly shared one time passwords (OTPs) linked to Indian mobile numbers with Pakistani intelligence operatives through handlers in Nepal. The OTPs were reportedly used to activate WhatsApp accounts.
Police also alleged that Raja arranged a mobile payments bank account in another person’s name to receive payments for supplying the OTPs. A substantial amount was allegedly deposited into the account.
Aditya Kumar Pandey allegedly worked with Raja Kumar, other individuals in Raxaul and Pakistani agents identified as Wasim, Sultan and Nayeem. Investigators said he helped activate WhatsApp accounts using Indian SIM card OTPs and communicated with the agents through encrypted platforms.
Police are investigating the alleged financial transactions and the wider network’s activities.
Probe Linked to Alleged Espionage Targeting Naval Establishments
The case is part of a wider investigation into suspected espionage activities targeting naval and defence establishments. The Counter Intelligence Cell registered a case on September 2 under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Official Secrets Act, 1923.
Investigators have alleged that an operative using the name “Soni” or “Soni Queen” contacted Annam Sai Vara Prasad, a civilian contract driver working with naval officials in Visakhapatnam, and obtained classified information about warships and submarines of the Eastern Naval Command.
Another operative, identified as “Joshita Pall”, allegedly attempted to obtain classified information from personnel in Visakhapatnam by transferring money to them, police said.
Earlier in the investigation, police arrested Sai Vara Prasad in Visakhapatnam on October 1 and Pradip Mukharjee, a naval employee at the Visakhapatnam Naval Base, in Coimbatore on October 3. Both were lodged in Vijayawada District Jail, according to the official statement.
