Summary:
- Dipesh Gohil, a contractual worker at Okha port, was arrested for allegedly sharing sensitive Indian Coast Guard information with a Pakistani agent for Rs 200 per day.
- The Pakistani agent, using the alias “Sahima,” contacted Gohil via Facebook and maintained communication through WhatsApp to receive details about Coast Guard ships.
- Gohil received a total of Rs 42,000, which was transferred to his friend’s account since he did not have one, under the guise of welding work payments.
- This arrest is part of ongoing efforts by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad to combat espionage activities targeting India’s maritime security.
In a significant development, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has apprehended a man from Okha, identified as Dipesh Gohil, for allegedly sharing sensitive information about Indian Coast Guard (ICG) movements with a Pakistani agent. The arrest underscores ongoing concerns about espionage activities targeting India’s maritime security.
Dipesh Gohil, a 33-year-old contractual worker at Okha port in the Dwarka district, was reportedly in contact with the Pakistani spy through social media platforms. The agent, using the alias “Sahima,” initially connected with Gohil on Facebook and maintained communication via WhatsApp. Over a period of several months, Gohil provided detailed information about Coast Guard vessels stationed at Okha port in exchange for daily payments of Rs 200, accumulating to Rs 42,000 in total.
Gujarat ATS officer K Siddharth revealed that the investigation began after receiving intelligence that an individual from Okha was transmitting details about Coast Guard ships to a contact in Pakistan. The phone number used by Gohil was traced back to Pakistan, confirming suspicions of espionage. The ATS noted that Gohil had easy access to the vessels due to his work at the port, which he exploited to gather and relay information.
The payments were made to the bank accounts of Gohil’s friends, as he did not possess an account himself. He then collected the money in cash under the pretense of earnings from welding work. This method of transaction highlights the covert nature of his activities and his awareness of their illegality.
This arrest is part of a broader pattern observed by Indian authorities. Last month, another individual named Pankaj Kotia from Porbandar was detained for similar offenses involving the transmission of sensitive information about Coast Guard operations to Pakistani contacts. These incidents reflect ongoing efforts by Pakistan’s military and intelligence services to gather intelligence on India’s coastal defenses.
The ATS has been actively monitoring such activities, particularly given Gujarat’s strategic location along India’s western coast. The region’s proximity to Pakistan makes it a focal point for intelligence operations aimed at undermining India’s maritime security. The ATS continues to investigate potential networks involved in these espionage activities and is working closely with other security agencies to prevent further breaches.
This case highlights the critical importance of safeguarding sensitive military information and the ongoing challenges posed by espionage in regions with strategic military significance.
Source: India Today
