New Delhi, March 21 (IANS) Seven espionage cases allegedly backed by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) were detected in the Indian armed forces in 2005-06 for which 16 personnel have been arrested.

"A few cases of involvement of armed forces personnel in espionage activities have come to the notice of the government. The number of such cases reported in 2005 is two, in 2006 is five and nil this year," Defence Minister A.K. Antony said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha Wednesday.

"Pakistan's ISI is suspected to be involved in such espionage activities. Sixteen armed forces personnel have been arrested for involvement in these cases. Of these, 14 have been awarded stringent punishment," he added.

According to the minister, "comprehensive preventive measures based on modus operandi of hostile countries/organisations are being enforced and regular security review is carried out from time to time to sensitise the environment for making security apparatus foolproof.

"In addition, the existing counter intelligence setup in the armed forces is synergised on a regular basis to meet the new challenges," he added.

"Stringent action is being undertaken against the accused persons and exemplary punishment is being awarded," Antony said.