Ordnance worker falls into honeytrap by Pakistani agent, leak secrets to ISI

Ravindra Kumar, a chargeman employed at the Ordnance Factory in Hazratpur, Firozabad, has been arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (UP ATS) for allegedly spying for Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI. Kumar, who had access to sensitive military documents, is accused of sharing classified information with a woman linked to the ISI. Investigators have uncovered that Kumar shared vital details, including daily production reports, letters from the screening committee, pending requisition lists, and confidential information related to drones and the Gaganyaan space mission.

The woman, who identified herself as Neha Sharma, contacted Kumar on Facebook in mid-2024. Despite openly admitting to working for Pakistan's intelligence agency, she successfully enticed Kumar into a honey trap. According to the UP ATS, Kumar had been frequently communicating with her through WhatsApp, engaging in audio and video calls. The woman reportedly convinced him to send confidential documents in exchange for monetary rewards.

During the investigation, authorities found that Kumar had saved the woman’s contact information under the name "Chandan Store Keeper 2" to conceal their communications. The UP ATS discovered a series of confidential documents, including classified information about logistics drone trials and details about India’s military projects, stored on Kumar's mobile phone. Kumar allegedly sent these documents to the ISI-linked woman using WhatsApp.

Kumar, who had worked at the Ordnance Factory since 2006 and as a chargeman since 2009, admitted during interrogation that he had been in regular contact with the woman, exchanging sensitive information in the hope of financial gain. He revealed that he had frequently deleted WhatsApp chats to avoid detection, but some conversations and documents remained on his phone.

As part of the investigation, the UP ATS also arrested one of Kumar’s associates from Agra. In addition to the classified documents found on his phone, the ATS recovered Rs 6,220 in cash, Kumar’s mobile phone, and personal identification documents, including an Aadhaar card, PAN card, and voter card. Kumar has been charged under the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and other provisions of the Indian Penal Code. Investigations are continuing to understand the full scope of the security breach.