Kozhikode native arrested for seeking location of INS Vikrant by posing as PMO official

KOZHIKODE: A man from Kozhikode has been arrested for impersonating a Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) official in an attempt to access classified information about INS Vikrant. The accused, identified as Mujeeb Rahman of Elathur, was booked under the Official Secrets Act following a complaint by the Indian Navy. Authorities will question him in detail to determine why he was seeking information about INS Vikrant.

The incident took place amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. According to officials, Mujeeb made a phone call to the Naval Command Headquarters in Kochi, posing as a PMO official named “Raghavan,” and sought details regarding the location of India’s indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. The Navy officials, who felt suspicious during the conversation, immediately informed the police about the matter. Subsequently, the Harbour Police registered a case on the complaint lodged by the Navy.

INS Vikrant
INS Vikrant is India’s indigenously built aircraft carrier, commissioned in September 2022 and constructed at the Cochin Shipyard. It can carry two squadrons of MiG-29K fighter jets (up to 40 aircraft) and 10 Kamov Ka-31 helicopters. The ship is equipped with 64 Barak missiles capable of neutralizing aerial threats. Measuring 262 meters in length and 59 meters in width, INS Vikrant can reach speeds of up to 30 knots and strike enemy targets within a range of 1,500 kilometres. It is considered one of the top 10 aircraft carriers in the world.