A civilian employee posted at an Indian Air Force station in Assam has been arrested for allegedly sharing sensitive defence information with handlers linked to Pakistan, officials confirmed.
The accused, identified as Sumit Kumar (36), was detained in a joint intelligence operation and is currently under investigation.
Joint Operation Leads to Arrest
The arrest was carried out at the Chabua Air Force Station in coordination with Air Force Intelligence and Rajasthan Intelligence.
According to officials, the suspect was taken to Jaipur for detailed interrogation following his detention.
The operation followed actionable intelligence inputs gathered during an earlier investigation.
Probe Linked to Earlier Arrest
The case traces back to the arrest of another suspect, Jhabararam, in Jaisalmer earlier this year.
Subsequent interrogation reportedly revealed connections leading to Kumar, prompting further surveillance and eventual arrest.
Sensitive Information Shared Since 2023
During questioning, investigators found that the accused had allegedly been in contact with foreign handlers since 2023.
Officials stated that he:
- Shared details about defence installations
- Passed information on fighter aircraft locations
- Disclosed data related to missile systems
- Provided personnel-related inputs
The information was reportedly transmitted via social media platforms in exchange for money.
Use of Social Media and Fake Accounts
Authorities also revealed that the accused allegedly assisted foreign handlers in creating social media accounts using mobile numbers registered in his name.
This enabled continuous communication while attempting to evade detection.
Legal Action and Ongoing Investigation
A case has been registered under the Official Secrets Act, 1923 and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
Officials have emphasised that the investigation is ongoing, with agencies working to identify potential links and assess the extent of the security breach.
National Security Concerns Highlighted
This case underscores ongoing concerns around internal security and the misuse of access within sensitive installations.
Authorities continue to monitor potential threats and have reiterated the importance of vigilance across defence establishments.
