ISLAMABAD: Indian defence circles are reeling from the unexplained deathsof two senior BrahMos Aerospace engineers within days of each other,triggering speculation about possible targeted poisoning by foreignintelligence agencies. The incidents have prompted a high-level probe byIndia’s internal security apparatus.
Akashdeep Gupta, a senior engineer posted at BrahMos integration complex inLucknow, collapsed suddenly on November 25 and was declared dead on arrivalat hospital. Medical sources described the episode as cardiac arrest, butcolleagues reportedly questioned the abrupt nature of the collapse givenhis fitness record.
In a separate incident, Joint Director Aditya Verma was found unconsciousin his bathroom in Mysuru on November 27, barely two days after hiswedding. Despite immediate hospitalisation, he succumbed hours later. Vermawas directly involved in critical guidance and seeker technologydevelopment for the supersonic cruise missile.
Both engineers held high-level security clearances and worked on sensitivesub-systems of the BrahMos missile, jointly developed by India and Russia.Their deaths have raised alarm over potential compromise of one of India’sflagship strategic programmes.
Indian intelligence agencies, including the Intelligence Bureau andResearch and Analysis Wing, have launched parallel investigations. Sourcesindicate that toxicology reports are being expedited and post-mortemsamples have been sent to specialised forensic laboratories to detecttraces of rare poisons.
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The timing has fuelled concerns about internal vulnerabilities withinIndia’s defence research establishment, with some officials privatelypointing fingers at hostile foreign agencies. Authorities have tightenedsecurity protocols around remaining BrahMos personnel.
Source:www.thehindu.com/news/national/behind-the-mystery-deaths-of-brahmos-engineers/article68901234.ece”>https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/behind-the-mystery-deaths-of-brahmos-engineers/article68901234.ece