Firozabad : The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad (UP ATS) has arrested an employee of the Ordnance Factory in Hazratpur, Firozabad, for allegedly leaking sensitive defense-related information to a Pakistani intelligence operative. The accused, identified as Ravindra Kumar, was arrested after a detailed interrogation at the ATS headquarters in Lucknow.
Espionage Operation Uncovered
According to ADG UP ATS Nilabja Choudhary, Kumar was in contact with a Pakistani agent who posed as Neha Sharma on Facebook. The ATS had been monitoring activities of Pakistani spy handlers who were luring government employees, particularly in sensitive departments like the Ministry of External Affairs and Defense, with money in exchange for classified documents.
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During the probe, it was discovered that Kumar, working as a chargeman at the ordnance factory, was regularly sharing confidential documents, including:
- Daily production reports of the factory
- Stock details and requisitions of incoming supplies
- Sensitive defense-related documents
Investigators found these classified files on Kumar’s phone, which he had shared via WhatsApp chats, audio, and video calls with the Pakistani agent. He also admitted to frequently deleting chats, though some messages and files remained in his device.
Long-Term Espionage Network
The ATS has termed this an organized ISI operation aimed at extracting classified information through honey-trapping. “They target individuals, build trust, and then manipulate them into leaking confidential data,” said ADG Choudhary. Kumar, who had been working at the Ordnance Factory since 2006 and as a chargeman since 2009, reportedly started communicating with Neha Sharma in July 2024. Motivated by financial greed, he sent her classified information in exchange for money.
Seizures and Legal Action
The ATS recovered:
- Five confidential documents
- Rs 6,220 in cash
- A mobile phone, ATM card, Aadhaar card, Voter ID, and PAN card
Kumar was booked under Section 148 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Official Secrets Act, 1923, before being taken into custody.
Call for Enhanced Security Measures
ADG Choudhary urged all sensitive government and defense institutions to tighten security protocols and conduct regular background checks on employees to prevent such espionage activities in the future.