Indian Embassy Official In Moscow Arrested On Spying Charges For Pakistan Was Caught In Honeytrap; Here's What UP ATS Found

An employee of the Indian embassy in Moscow, recently arrested in Uttar Pradesh on charges of spying for Pakistan's ISI, was reportedly lured into espionage through a honey trap set by a woman he met on social media, according to the UP Anti-Terrorist Squad, as per a report by The Hindu.

Satendra Siwal, a resident of Shahmahiuddinpur village in Hapur, allegedly shared classified documents related to Indian Air Force and Indian Navy weapon systems, including details about warplanes and submarines, said Rajeev Tyagi, ATS inspector in Meerut.

Currently in ATS remand until 16 February, Siwal was said to have been in contact with a woman using the online profile name Pooja Mehra, who enticed him to share secret documents in exchange for money, as per Tyagi.

"Siwal claims that the documents shared with the woman are still on his phone. Forensic examination of his phone and other devices is underway," added the ATS inspector.

Siwal, who had been working as an India-based security assistant at the Indian embassy in Moscow since 2021, was arrested by the Meerut unit of ATS on 4 February in Lucknow.

During interrogation, Siwal reportedly admitted to his involvement in the espionage activities.

The ATS had earlier stated that Siwal allegedly provided crucial confidential information regarding the strategic activities of the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of External Affairs, and Indian military establishments in exchange for money.

Meanwhile, Siwal's family members have reportedly left their home in Hapur and relocated to another location, according to the police.