DefenceDRDOIndian ArmyInternal Security

DRDO Spy Case: A Serious Note Taken By Southern Army Commander

Story Highlights
  • When asked if India uses similar strategies against other countries, Singh said, "We do everything and anything to protect our sovereignty."
  • The cases of honey-trapping and social media, because we know that both China and Pakistan use these to their advantage.

The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) arrested a senior scientist in Pune last month on charges of espionage in a suspected honeytrap case involving social media. The Indian Army’s Southern Command, which is also based in Pune, has “taken note… in a very, very major way,” Lt. General A K Singh.

Lt. General Singh said at an Idea Exchange event on Monday that the Army has strong methods in place to stop these kinds of problems, such as internal and external audits and surprise checks.

When asked if the espionage case has worried him and made him think about new ways to deal with these kinds of things, Singh said, “It has really affected us, and we have taken it very, very seriously.” This has always been one of the most important things to us. The cases of honey-trapping and social media, because we know that both China and Pakistan use these to their advantage. Pakistan in particular… They have a strong organization, and their only goal is to figure out how to get in touch with the Armed forces and other groups, both directly and indirectly, so that they can gain entry, set up honeypots, and get information from them. So, we are very aware of this work, and the Armed Forces and the Army, especially the Southern Army, have taken a lot of steps in this direction.

Singh said, “I don’t think there is any system that is completely foolproof.” He listed “surprise checks,” “external audits,” and “exercises we call cyber fortressing” as some of the steps taken. But it’s a moving process, and we’re always trying to figure out where our weak spots are and how to fix them.

When asked if India uses similar strategies against other countries, Singh said, “We do everything and anything to protect our sovereignty.” The record of the Idea Exchange will be released at a later time.

The Maharashtra Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested DRDO scientist Pradeep Kurulkar on May 3 on suspicion of espionage and “wrongful communication” with Pakistan-based intelligence agents in what is thought to be a honeytrap.

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