UP ATS Arrests Ordnance Factory Employee Over Espionage Allegations

An employee of Hazratpur Ordnance Factory, Firozabad was arrested on Friday by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad (ATS). According to the reports, accused Ravindra Kumar was arrested for allegedly leaking sensitive information to a Pakistani agent.

According to an ATS statement, intelligence reports suggested that handlers from a Pakistani spy agency were actively trying to entice Indian government officials. They targeted officials in the External Affairs Ministry and other departments by offering money for classified information. "Following a detailed probe, it was revealed that Ravindra Kumar, who worked as a chargeman at the Ordnance Factory, had been sending sensitive and confidential information to a Pakistani operative, whom he had befriended on Facebook," the statement said.

Facebook Connection and Financial Motive

During questioning, Kumar admitted to joining the Ordnance Factory in 2006 and becoming a chargeman in 2009. In July 2024, he connected with Neha Sharma on Facebook. She later contacted him through WhatsApp calls. "Driven by greed, Kumar started sharing confidential information with her. He admitted to frequently deleting their WhatsApp chats, but some conversations and documents were still recovered from his phone," the ATS statement added.

After his initial interrogation, Kumar was taken to the ATS headquarters in Lucknow. A search of his mobile phone revealed several sensitive documents, which he had allegedly shared with the Pakistani agent. Officials said he was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for possessing and transmitting classified information.

Seizures and Further Investigation

The ATS has seized five confidential documents along with Rs 6,220 in cash from Kumar. Additionally, they found a mobile phone, ATM card, Aadhaar card, Voter ID, and PAN card in his possession. The authorities are now delving deeper into the case to uncover any broader espionage network linked to these activities.