Daijiworld Media Network - Lucknow

Lucknow, Mar 14: The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) has arrested an employee of the Ordnance Factory in Hazratpur, Firozabad, for allegedly sharing sensitive information with a Pakistani agent posing as a Facebook friend.

The accused, Ravindra Kumar, who worked as a chargeman at the factory, was taken into custody on Thursday after an investigation revealed his involvement in espionage.

According to an ATS statement, Pakistani intelligence handlers have been targeting Indian government employees through social media, luring them with money in exchange for classified information.

“On thorough investigation, it was found that Ravindra Kumar was sending confidential details to a Pakistani agent under the guise of a Facebook friendship,” the statement said.

Following his detention by the Agra ATS unit, Kumar was taken to Lucknow for further interrogation. Officials recovered sensitive documents on his mobile phone, which he had allegedly shared with the agent. When questioned, he failed to provide a satisfactory explanation and later admitted to his actions.

A case has been registered against him under Section 148 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Official Secrets Act, 1923.

Investigations revealed that Kumar, employed at the Ordnance Factory since 2006, became acquainted with a woman named "Neha Sharma" on Facebook in July 2024. Their conversations extended to WhatsApp, including voice and video calls. In the hope of making quick money, Kumar allegedly passed on classified information while frequently deleting chat records.

Authorities recovered five confidential documents, Rs 6,220 in cash, a mobile phone, ATM card, Aadhaar card, voter ID, and PAN card from him.

The ATS is continuing its probe to uncover any larger espionage network linked to the case.