A serving Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander was arrested in May for allegedly sharing sensitive defence information and confidential documents with a Pakistani intelligence operative, officials said on Saturday, August 8.
The officer, who was posted at a field unit on the Western Front, allegedly came in contact with a woman through social media. Investigators suspect that the interaction was part of a honey-trapping operation.
The officer was arrested on May 30 following a complaint from the Indian Air Force and has been booked under the Official Secrets Act. The Delhi Police said the investigation has been completed and a chargesheet was filed before the concerned court on July 30.
“Based upon a complaint by Indian Airforce authorities, a serving Air Force officer was arrested on May 30th, for allegations of being honey trapped by a Pakistani Intelligence Operative,” the Delhi Police said.
IAF Intelligence Wing Kept Officer Under Surveillance
According to officials, the officer was going through personal difficulties when he began communicating with a woman on social media. Their conversations reportedly developed into regular phone and video calls.
The IAF intelligence wing later detected suspicious activity and placed the officer under surveillance.
“He was under active surveillance and was handed over to the suitable law enforcement agencies,” an IAF spokesperson said.
Following the surveillance, information and evidence were shared with the Delhi Police Special Cell, which took further legal action.
The officer was questioned by the Special Cell along with central intelligence agencies before being produced before a court. He was subsequently sent to judicial custody and is currently lodged in Tihar Jail.
Woman Allegedly Asked Him to Share Confidential Information
Investigators allege that the woman gained the officer’s trust before persuading him to share sensitive information concerning India’s defence system.
An officer familiar with the investigation said the information was allegedly shared through photographs and videos.
“After gaining his trust, the woman tricked him into sharing confidential documents and sensitive details related to Indian defence system through photographs and videos,” the officer said.
The officer also allegedly asked him to install an application on a colleague’s mobile phone. Investigators suspect that the application could have been spyware or remote-access malware capable of extracting data and tracking the device’s location.
Officials said the woman may have been working for Pakistan-based intelligence handlers.
“The special cell’s investigation indicated that the woman, who was used to honey-trap the wing commander, could be working for handlers based in Pakistan,” another officer said.
The official added that she could be linked to a wider network allegedly involved in collecting information about India’s defence system.
Chargesheet Filed in July
The Delhi Police said the investigation into the case has been completed and a chargesheet was submitted to the competent court on July 30.
The matter is currently sub judice, meaning the court proceedings are ongoing.
The case comes amid increased concern among Indian security agencies over attempts to target serving defence personnel through social media, including the alleged use of honey-trapping methods to obtain sensitive information.
The officer’s identity has not been publicly disclosed.
