New Delhi: Sugunakar Pakala, a 54-year-old Indian Navy veteran, was one of the eight officers sentenced to death in Qatar for alleged spying for Israel. Pakala had an illustrious 25-year career in the Indian Navy and was one of the few to cross the equator twice on the Navy’s solo sail ship.

Hailing from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, Pakala began his career in the Navy's naval engineering branch at the age of 18. He served in various locations, including Visakhapatnam, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Mumbai. He pursued his education at institutions like Vizianagaram Sainik School, Kendriya Vidyalaya in Visakhapatnam, and obtained his B.Tech from the Naval College of Engineering.

Friends and acquaintances vouched for Pakala's character, emphasizing that he was never involved in anti-social activities. The Ministry of External Affairs expressed shock over the sentencing of the eight Navy veterans and is awaiting the detailed judgment while staying in touch with their family members and legal team to explore all legal options.

The case revolves around allegations that the eight Indian Navy veterans spied on Qatar's submarine program for Israel. Qatar also shut down Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, the company providing training to its navy, in connection with the case. Reports suggest that the Indian men were arrested after Qatari authorities received a tip-off from Pakistan.

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