KOCHI: The NIA's Hyderabad unit arrested three people, including an Ernakulam native, in the espionage case of passing military information to Pakistan's intelligence agencies. PA Abhilash, a native of KadamakKudy, was arrested for exchanging information related to the South Naval Base with Pakistan.

Karnataka natives Vethan Laxman Thandal and Akshay Ravi Naik were also arrested for passing information related to the Karwar naval base.

According to NIA, the three were in touch with Pakistani intelligence agencies through social media. They were paid handsomely for passing on important information related to India's defence establishments.

The three were also in contact with Pakistani national Mir Belaj Khan and formerly arrested spy Akash Solanki. In June 2023, the NIA filed a charge sheet against absconding Pakistani agents Alwan, Manmohan Surendra Panda and Amam Salim Sheikh. In January 2011, the case registered by the Andhra Counter Intelligence Cell was taken over by the NIA Hyderabad unit.