Defense News ,India :- Responding to the escalating threat of online honey-trapping, a prevalent tactic in international espionage, the Indian Army has proactively implemented measures to safeguard its personnel. Fueled by real incidents involving Indian military personnel falling victim to deceptive practices by foreign intelligence operatives, the army has unveiled an AI-based chatbot. This innovative tool is tailored to assess soldiers' susceptibility to such deceptive maneuvers.
The digital realm is witnessing a growing concern regarding the prevalence of honey-trapping, particularly in cases involving Pakistani intelligence operatives targeting Indian military personnel and defense executives.
In 2020, suspicion surrounded Indian Army soldier Shantimay Rana, who was accused of divulging military information to Pakistan. Rana was apprehended amidst allegations that he had fallen prey to a honey trap orchestrated by a Pakistani woman. This incident led to the unauthorized disclosure of details regarding the movements and maneuvers of his military unit.
In a coordinated operation conducted by Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, Nishant Agarwal, a 27-year-old BrahMos Aerospace Engineer, was arrested. Agarwal faced accusations of providing technical information to a Pakistani operative and maintaining communication with suspected Pakistani intelligence operatives under the aliases "Neha Sharma" and "Pooja Ranjan." Law enforcement authorities revealed that despite the sensitive nature of his role, Agarwal had exposed himself to vulnerabilities online.
In 2023, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) apprehended scientist Pradeep Kurulkar, the head of the Defense Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Research and Development Establishment Engineers Laboratory. According to ATS reports, Kurulkar was accused of disclosing sensitive defense project information to an individual claiming to be Zara Dasgupta, an alleged Pakistani Intelligence Agent. The DRDO scientist allegedly maintained contact with the purported Pakistani agent through WhatsApp and video calls, even expressing a willingness to share a "highly classified" report on the BrahMos missile project.
To address these challenges, the Indian Army has introduced SAMBANDH, a bilingual AI chatbot on WhatsApp, designed to engage in simulated conversations with soldiers, exposing them to various deceptive scenarios. The primary goal is to identify individuals susceptible to deceptive tactics, enabling commanding officers to sensitize them to potential risks posed by cyber threats.
In addition to SAMBANDH, the Indian Army has also launched a separate initiative on WhatsApp connecting veterans and war widows. SAMBANDH provides a platform for one-on-one communication, addressing queries, grievances, and disseminating information.
These initiatives underscore the military's commitment to enhancing awareness and resilience against cyber threats, utilizing innovative solutions for community communication and support. The adoption of AI chatbots reflects ongoing efforts to stay ahead of technological challenges in defense and security.
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