Drone drama took on the flavors of honeytrap and betrayal at DRDO. The recent arrest of Pravin Mishra in Gujarat’s Bharuch district tells a well-known tale of espionage and ‘dhoka’! The accused fell prey to a honeytrap orchestrated by Pakistan’s ISI. For momentary pleasures and cheap thrills, Pravin Mishra willingly gave out the nation’s secrets to its hostile neighbor. Although to be fair, he did not know that the woman he bared all for was a well-laid Pakistani honeytrap. Let’s talk about this tale of trust, intrigue, and betrayal.
Drone Drama – DRDO Man’s ISI Honeytrap Unraveled
Pravin Mishra has shared information on drones manufactured by the DRDO to ISI, many other people working for defence establishments were also targeted. The ISI handler even tried to install malware in Pravin Mishra's office server.pic.twitter.com/KnxhGf8rdY
— Alpha Defense™ (@alpha_defense) May 9, 2024
Reports state that the Pakistani honeytrap began very innocently. In a chance online encounter, Sonal Garg who claimed to be a Chandigarh IBM employee came in contact with Pravin Mishra.
However, little did Mishra know that he was about to become embroiled in a web of deceit spun by Pakistan’s ISI.
At the time of the encounter, Mishra was working with a firm that worked with DRDO Hyderabad’s defense contracts. Consequently, Mishra was privy to sensitive information regarding India’s drone technology.
Sonal Garg, operating under the guise of an innocent IBM employee, lured Mishra into her web of deceit. She exploited his need for emotional and physical needs for the ISI’s gain. This ISI handler first became friends with Pravin via Facebook. After confirming a formal romantic relationship, the conversations moved to their personal mobile phones. Enticing photographs and suggestive voice messages firmly claimed Pravin’s loyalty. Slowly Mishra fell victim to her charms while Garg’s true allegiance lay with Pakistan.
Consequently, in a moment of folly, Mishra succumbed to the charms of the mysterious Sonal Garg. The ISI handler sitting in Pakistan had Pravin Mishra divulging crucial details that could compromise national security. Under her urging, Pravin was also enticed to install malware into the DRDO’s contractual firm at Hyderabad.
Thus, Bharat’s classified information on the DRDO Drone program was successfully leaked to Pakistan.
The Sting Operation That Caught The Espionage
The CSL CID Crime unit mounted surveillance on a factory in Ankaleshwar near Bharuch, Gujarat. Pravin Mishra, formerly employed at Hyderabad as an engineer, had changed workplaces and was working at Ankaleshwar at the moment of arrest. Armed with incriminating evidence recovered from Mishra’s phone, authorities wasted no time apprehending the man who became the unwitting lackey of a Pakistani spy.
Originally a resident of Ankaleshwar, Pravin Mishra belongs to Muzaffarpur, Bihar. The man, originally innocent victim of online fraud, became increasingly enticed into anti-national activities by the ISI handler. Sadly, for Pravin, his dream girl resulted in a nightmare for a lifetime. Currently, Pravin Mishra faces charges under section 123 of the IPC and relevant sections of the IT Act. His story is a stark reminder of the consequences of trusting the wrong people and betraying one’s country.
A Lesson in National Pride
As Mishra’s saga unfolds, it highlights the importance of vigilance at all times. One never knows who the foe is on the other side of the screen. Pravin Mishra’s missteps serve as a wake-up call for those who seek salacious contacts for momentary pleasure. It is not just important to remain vigilant against online ‘friends’ and relationships! It is also important to remain steadfast in their allegiance to the nation when faced with temptations.
In the battle between right and wrong, only the spirit of truth and loyalty perseveres.
Pravin Mishra’s tale may become a number in the annals of espionage. However, it is a cautionary tale of loyalties failing the temptation. Do not let animal instincts overpower and gain the upper hand in the fight for survival in this dog-eat-dog world! While DRDO needs to recheck its contractual collaborations, Bharat must never forget that although Pakistan starves its army stops at nothing to harm our nation. As the agencies deal with the fallout of this honeytrap, Bharat must never trust this country of beggars and thieves! Because our momentary lapse in vigilance will give birth to many honey-trapped Pravin Mishras of this world!