Introduction
In a shocking revelation, authorities in Gujarat's Bharuch district have uncovered a complex espionage operation orchestrated by Pakistan's notorious Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The case revolves around the apprehension of Pravin Mishra, an aeronautical engineer accused of divulging sensitive information related to India's defense research and development initiatives, of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The investigation has unveiled the meticulous methods employed by the ISI, involving a honey-trap orchestrated by an operative named Sonal Garg, who ensnared Mishra through social media manipulation.
The Honey-Trap Scheme
The modus operandi of the ISI operative, Sonal Garg, was intricate and cunning. Posing as an employee of IBM in Chandigarh, Garg established contact with Pravin Mishra through social media platforms, employing a fake Facebook profile and an Indian WhatsApp number to conceal her true identity. Through this carefully crafted persona, Garg successfully lured Mishra into a compromising situation, exploiting his vulnerabilities to extract sensitive defense-related information.
The Accused
Pravin Mishra, an aeronautical engineer by profession, worked at a factory in Gujarat's Ankleshwar, which supplied synthetic chemicals to the DRDO. His position afforded him access to confidential data related to India's defense research and development initiatives, particularly concerning the BrahMos missile system. The Pakistani agent, driven by a relentless pursuit of such sensitive details, befriended Mishra through social media and attempted to persuade him to leak critical information.
The Breach of National Security
The extent of the breach is alarming, as Mishra stands accused of sharing highly confidential information about the Indian Armed Forces and defense-related research and development firms. The Gujarat Criminal Investigation Department (CID) confirmed that the information was being channeled directly to an intelligence agency located in Pakistan, marking a serious breach of national security.
Honey-Trapping Tactics
The case highlights the insidious tactics employed by the ISI, exploiting vulnerabilities through honey-trapping operations. The handler, using an Indian WhatsApp number and a fake Facebook profile under the name Sonal Garg, successfully lured Mishra into sharing sensitive defense-related data. Alarmingly, the ISI operative also attempted to install malware on Mishra's office server, potentially compromising even more sensitive information.
Charges and Investigation
Pravin Mishra has been booked under section 123 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to concealing information with the intent to facilitate acts of war. Additionally, relevant sections of the IT Act have been invoked in the case. The investigation began after a tip-off from Military Intelligence in Udhampur, which alerted authorities about attempts to target current or retired personnel of the Armed Forces, DRDO, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and those involved in missile system development.
Broader Implications
The case underscores the broader threat posed by Pakistan's intelligence agencies, which have been known to employ sophisticated tactics to compromise India's national security. Gujarat CID ADGP Rajkumar Pandian stated that many other people working for defense establishments have been targeted by ISI honey-trappers, highlighting the pervasive nature of these operations.
Previous Incidents
The article also highlights several previous incidents of honey-trapping by Pakistani intelligence agents, underlining the gravity of the situation. In February 2024, the Odisha police apprehended a senior technical officer from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) of the DRDO in Chandipur for allegedly disclosing confidential defense data to Pakistani ISI agents in exchange for sexual favours and financial rewards.
Similarly, in 2021, the Odisha police arrested five contractual employees of the DRDO unit in Chandipur on suspicion of sharing classified defense information with unidentified ISI agents from Pakistan. In 2022, a contractual employee at the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad was apprehended for transmitting confidential defense data related to India's missile development to an alleged ISI agent in Pakistan via social media.
These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by Pakistan's intelligence agencies and the need for heightened vigilance and robust counter-intelligence measures.
Conclusion
The Gujarat espionage case has exposed the depths to which Pakistan's ISI is willing to descend, employing insidious tactics like honey-trapping to compromise India's national security. The apprehension of Pravin Mishra and the unravelling of the Sonal Garg operation serve as a wake-up call for Indian defense establishments and intelligence agencies to remain vigilant and fortify their defenses against such nefarious schemes. As India continues to strengthen its defense capabilities, the nation must remain steadfast in safeguarding its strategic assets and intellectual property from the prying eyes of adversaries. This case underscores the need for robust counter-intelligence measures, stringent background checks, and ongoing education and awareness campaigns to inoculate personnel against the insidious tactics employed by hostile intelligence agencies.
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