DRDO scientist falls in honeytrap; Pakistan beauty leaks missile secrets

NEW DELHI: Pakistan spy beauty, who trapped an Indian defense scientist in a honeytrap, leaked confidential information about Indian missiles and defense research projects, including the Brahmos.

Shocking information is contained in the chargesheet issued by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad against DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) scientist Pradeep Kurulkar (59), who was arrested on May 3. He is in judicial custody in Yerwada Jail, Pune.

The spy beauty met Kurulkar on WhatsApp under the name Zara Dasgupta, a software engineer in Britain. The trap was set up by creating fake accounts of Zara and Juhi Arora and sending obscene messages and videos from a number with a +44 London code. There are chats from June 2022 onwards. DRDO blocked Zara's number in February 2023 after getting suspicious. Then a WhatsApp message came from another Indian number asking 'Why did you block me'?

Launcher is my design baby

Kurulkar used to call Zara 'Baby'. Sara's asked if the Agni-6 missile was a success. 'Huge success. Its launcher is designed by me. India's Astra missile is more accurate than Europe's Meteor', replied Kurulkar. He also provided information on Brahmos, Agni 6, Rustom drone, unmanned combat aircraft, drone-robotics projects, quadcopter, DRDO duty chart, Rafale fighter jet and Akash missile.

Spy agent leaked the confidential information stored on Kurulkar's phone through apps. E-mail passwords were given to Kurulkar to gain trust. ATS found that the IP address of the e-mail and the associated phone number belonged to Pakistan.

Participant in critical projects

At the time of his arrest, Kurulkar was the head of DRDO Research and Development Establishment R&DE Laboratory, Pune. He was part of the nuclear-capable Agni missile, Mission Shakti-an anti-satellite missile test, and strategic missile defense systems.

203 testimonies have been recorded, including ones of DRDO officials and an Air Force officer. Spy agent had contacted some of them.

ATS has asked Kurulkar to undergo polygraph, voice layer and psychological analysis tests.

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