Young Engineer Falls into Spy Trap, Exposes Indian Naval Warship Locations to Pakistani Agents

In a startling breach of national security, a 27-year-old junior defence contractor has been arrested for leaking classified information about Indian Navy warships and submarines to suspected Pakistani intelligence operatives. The accused, Ravindra Muralidhar Verma, allegedly passed on operational details of 14 naval vessels—five of which were confirmed to be accurate and classified—while working for a defence firm in Mumbai.

Verma was employed in the electrical department of Krasni Defence Technology Pvt. Ltd., a company that regularly undertakes repair and maintenance work at sensitive military sites like the Naval Dockyard, Mazagon Dock, and Indian Coast Guard facilities in Maharashtra. His position gave him rare access to restricted zones where warships and submarines are stationed, including locations critical to India’s naval defence.

Caught in a Web of Deception

Verma's descent into espionage reportedly began on social media. In early 2024, he accepted friend requests on Facebook from two profiles bearing the names Payal Sharma and Ishpreet, both of whom claimed to be young Indian women working in naval research. These accounts were, in fact, operated by Pakistani intelligence handlers. One of them, later revealed to be using the alias Priti Jaiswal, quickly built an emotional bond with Verma and shifted their conversations to WhatsApp.

Over time, these handlers manipulated Verma using emotional messaging and financial inducements. A senior Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) officer stated, “He was fully aware of what he was doing and who he was sending the information to. He received payments for every bit of information he shared.”

Circumventing Security to Leak Secrets

Although electronic devices are strictly prohibited in naval zones, Verma found ways around these protocols. He allegedly memorised sensitive details during his visits and later recreated them as hand-drawn sketches, written notes, diagrams, or even audio messages. These were sent to his handlers over WhatsApp or through social media channels.

One chilling voice message retrieved from his phone and dated March 11, 2025, captures Verma saying:

"Sir kuch reply nahi de rahe, unka net shayd se band hai... Aaj mein roundup pe gaya tha. So sari sari ship dekhi hai? Vo sari meine diary mein karke tumko kiya ki hai, Aur sir ko bhi kiya hai, par wo online nahi hai."

He admitted inspecting multiple ships, documenting the details in his diary, and forwarding them to his handler and a person referred to as “Sir.” The very next day, he took a photograph of a notebook page listing the names and exact locations of 14 naval vessels. This image was later found saved in a special folder on his phone and was allegedly shared with his handlers.

The Indian Navy has since verified that five of those ships were real and their positions were considered classified and restricted, confirming the seriousness of the leak.

Not Just a Victim?

While Verma’s family has claimed he was manipulated, investigators are treating the case as a deliberate act of betrayal. His mother, Rekha, told authorities, “Yes, Ravi spoke to someone on Facebook, but the woman trapped him. He told me he wanted to delete his Facebook account because of bad people online.”

However, the evidence paints a more complicated picture. Investigators found that Verma had archived chats, saved diagrams, videos, and audio notes that indicated he knew the nature of the information he was sharing. In addition, forensic analysis of his phone revealed he had been in touch with multiple handlers, some posing as “college friends” of the original women he had been speaking to.

Authorities are now investigating whether Verma was coerced further through blackmail or promised larger financial rewards. His financial records indicate that money was being transferred from multiple Indian and foreign bank accounts, which the ATS is now working to trace. It is suspected that others linked to Verma’s company might have also been targeted or compromised in a similar manner.

Charges and Investigation Continue

Verma, along with the mysterious “Priti Jaiswal” and the unknown “Sir,” has been charged under the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023—a serious offence relating to espionage and endangering national security.

He is currently in ATS custody until Monday, as investigators continue to extract and examine data from his phone, social media accounts, and other digital devices. The focus is now on uncovering the full extent of the espionage ring and whether it includes a wider network of insiders or compromised personnel.

This case has sounded alarm bells within India’s defence circles, highlighting not just the dangers of cyber honey-traps but also the urgent need for stricter internal vigilance in the age of hybrid warfare.