Navy bans smartphones, social media on bases

After the recent arrest of seven navy personnel for allegedly leaking sensitive information to an espionage racket, the Indian Navy has issued direction to ban the use of all smartphones and social networking platforms onboard ships and naval bases. “All social networking platforms including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and other messengers from here on now will not be allowed at the naval bases and ships,” said a senior Indian Navy officer. The officer said that moreover no smartphones were allowed onboard ships and naval bases. On December 20, Intelligence agencies busted an espionage racket with the arrest of seven Indian Navy personnel and a money-laundering ring operator. The arrest of the seven navy officials from Mumbai, Karvar and Vishakapatnam for leaking sensitive information about the movements of warships and submarines to foreign agents had exposed lapses in the security apparatus placed around critical assets in India. “Three sailors were arrested from Visakhapatnam, two from Karwar and two from Mumbai,” said intelligence agencies, which busted the espionage racket. The agencies had stated that both Eastern and Western naval command centres, responsible for security of the maritime borders from China and Pakistan, were exposed to these agents. “Some more suspects are being questioned,” the agencies said. The agencies pointed that Vishakapatnam, the headquarters of the Eastern Command of the Indian Navy and also the base of the nuclear submarine Arihant, was exposed to the espionage racket. It also stated that the Eastern Command keeps tab upon the suspicious Chinese ship movements in the Indian waters. (IANS)