Agra: An employee of the Ordnance Equipment Factory (OEF) in Hazratpur, Uttar Pradesh, has been arrested on charges of spying for Pakistan. It has been revealed that the man, identified as Ravindra Kumar, fell into a honey trap laid by Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) and passed on vital defence related information to the spy agency.
OEF, Hazratpur, under the Ministry of Defence, produces drones, parachutes and other vital equipment for Indian armed forces. One of Kumar’s associates has also been held by the Anti-Terrorism Squad of Uttar Pradesh Police.
“Kumar was working at OEF, Hazratpur, and had access to sensitive documents. Investigations have revealed that he shared highly classified information, including daily production reports, confidential letters from the screening committee, a pending requisition list, and details on drones and the Gaganyaan project, with a woman linked to the ISI,” an official said.
What is extremely disconcerting is that fact that Kumar knew that the woman worked for the ISI, yet shared the documents with her. The woman identified herself as Neha Sharma and befriended Kumar in 2024. Kumar apparently fell for her and saved her number as ‘Chandan Store Keeper 2’, to ensure that no one suspects that he is in a relation.
“It seems that Kumar was offered money after which he sent her the confidential documents through WhatsApp. We have found incriminating documents in his phone, including details of logistics drone trials by senior officers of the factory and the 5/1 Gorkha Rifles. He also maintained direct communication links with IS handlers based in Pakistan and passed on intelligence,” the official added.
All digital evidence is now being scanned by the security agencies to ascertain the kind of damage that may have been caused by Kumar and work out remedial measures.
