Firozabad: Ravindra Kumar, a chargeman at Firozabad Ordnance Factory, was arrested by Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on March 14 for allegedly spying for Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI. Kumar, a resident of Agra, was caught after being trapped in a honeytrap operation run by Pakistani handlers, as per a report by Dainik Bhasker.
ISI Agent Posed as ISRO Official to Extract Defense Secrets
According to ATS, Kumar came in contact with a Facebook user named Neha Sharma in June 2024, who posed as an ISRO officer. Their interactions shifted to WhatsApp, where Neha extracted classified information through chats and video calls. Kumar allegedly shared sensitive data related to drone manufacturing, the Gaganyaan mission, and ordnance production in exchange for money. Investigators found that he received payments from unknown sources at least three times.
Pakistan’s AI-Driven Spy Network Under ATS Scanner
In continuation of the Dainik Bhasker report, ATS tracked Kumar’s activities after monitoring social media accounts suspected of honeytrapping. His arrest revealed a larger ISI-run network, with call centers in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Islamabad using AI-driven tools to manipulate Indian defense personnel. Reports suggest that ISI’s ‘Project Lioness,’ initiated in 2022, trains female spies for such operations.
Following Kumar’s arrest, ATS is probing his financial records and contacts for further leads. If convicted under the Official Secrets Act, he could face up to 14 years in prison. Authorities warn that honeytrapping remains a major security threat, with hundreds of such cases detected in recent years.
Firozabad’s Ordnance Factory plays a key role in India’s Gaganyaan mission, manufacturing parachutes for astronaut landings. The leak of confidential data could have serious national security implications. Investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of the breach and identify other individuals involved.
