The recent case involving a honey trap targeting a senior scientist at the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) Pradeep Kurulkar has sent shockwaves through India’s defense establishment. The spy, known as ‘Zara,’ allegedly infiltrated the scientist’s life and employed sophisticated tactics to extract highly sensitive missile secrets.
The Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Mumbai has filed a charge sheet against Pradeep Kurulkar, who revealed classified defence information about the Indian missile system to a Pakistani spy who chatted with him after assuming the identity of ‘Zara Dasgupta’.
Pradeep Kurulkar was arrested on May 3 on the charges of espionage and has now revealed the details of his encounter with Pakistani spy Zara, and how he was lured into leaking national secrets, DNA India reported.
The true identity of ‘Zara,’ the Pakistani spy involved in the honey trap case, remains shrouded in secrecy. Intelligence agencies suspect that ‘Zara’ may be an alias used by a highly trained operative working for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
The honey trap technique is a form of espionage where an attractive individual builds a romantic or sexual relationship with the target, exploiting their emotions and trust to gain access to sensitive information. In this case, ‘Zara’ allegedly targeted the DRDO scientist, exploiting their vulnerability and luring them into a compromising situation.
In its charge sheet, submitted to a special court on June 30, ATS claimed that the alleged Pakistani agent created multiple fake accounts under different names to engage with Kurulkar. Two of these names were Zara Dasgupta and Juhi Arora. The same operative also set up accounts under these names on messaging apps using two different phone numbers. Both numbers started with the +44 London code. In his messages with the alleged Zara Dasgupta, Kurulkar spoke freely about the Meteor missile which is in the works at DRDO, about the Brahmos missiles, Rafael, Akash and Astra missile systems, and also the Agni-6 missile launcher in the development of which he was involved, Hindustan Times reported.
Reports suggest that ‘Zara’ meticulously planned her approach. She identified the scientist as a key individual with access to classified information related to missile technology. ‘Zara’ then initiated contact, possibly through social media or professional networking platforms, using a false identity and building rapport with the target.
Over time, ‘Zara’ employed seductive tactics, manipulating the scientist’s emotions and gaining their trust. This allowed her to gradually extract confidential information, including details about missile systems, research projects, and defense capabilities. The sensitive nature of the information obtained indicates the level of sophistication and planning involved in the operation.
Such covert operatives often undergo rigorous training in espionage techniques, psychological manipulation, and seduction to infiltrate sensitive targets and gather intelligence.
Dasgupta, 60, used to send obscene videos and photos to the DRDO scientist, and the two struck up a relationship after which Kurulkar ended up sharing classified information about his missile project and defence systems with her.
During the investigation, the IP address of the obscene chats was traced to Pakistan. The Pakistani agent tried to get classified and sensitive information regarding the Brahmos Launcher, Drone, UCV, Agni Missile Launcher and Military Bridging System, among other things, the ATS charge sheet said, Hindustan Times revealed.
The honey trap case involving a DRDO scientist raises serious concerns regarding national security. The compromise of missile secrets could have severe repercussions for India’s defense capabilities, potentially endangering the country’s security and strategic interests. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the constant threat posed by foreign intelligence agencies and the need for robust counterintelligence measures.
According to Indian media, ISI is openly recruiting these girls by placing ads in newspapers, in the name of Fatima Jinnah Women’s University. The ad says, a media house linked to Pakistan Army, requires female social media specialists who can interact through virtual conversations with targets.
In one of the incident the girl, profiled as Ishanika, was handling nearly 50 targets at a time, using different identities. She was Ishanika to some, and Navya Chopra to some others. On social media, the pictures of the girl are identical. She is an ISI handler working for a safe house at West Ridge Road, Rawalpindi, according to military intelligence, India TV News stated in its publication in 2021.
The honey trap case should serve as a wake-up call for Indian intelligence agencies to further strengthen counterintelligence measures. This includes improved background checks, rigorous vetting processes, and increased vigilance in identifying and neutralizing potential threats. Developing a culture of awareness and educating personnel about the risks of espionage can also play a vital role in safeguarding sensitive information.
The honey trap case involving a DRDO scientist and the mysterious Pakistani spy ‘Zara’ highlights the evolving nature of espionage and the constant challenges faced by national security agencies. The incident underscores the need for continuous improvement in counterintelligence efforts, including stringent background checks and heightened vigilance. Strengthening international cooperation in combating espionage is also crucial in safeguarding sensitive information and protecting national interests. As investigations continue, it is imperative that lessons are learned from this case to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Coverpage’s editorial stance
