An Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander has been arrested for allegedly leaking sensitive defence-related information after reportedly falling victim to a honey trap allegedly orchestrated by Pakistani intelligence operatives.
The officer was under active surveillance before his arrest and has since been handed over to law enforcement agencies, IAF officials said. The Force reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards offences involving the unauthorised sharing of classified information under the Official Secrets Act.
The officer is currently in judicial custody and has been booked under provisions of the Official Secrets Act for allegedly sharing sensitive information and confidential defence documents.
According to investigators, the officer was allegedly honey-trapped through social media by Pakistani intelligence operatives. He is also accused of installing data-stealing software on a colleague's mobile phone in an alleged attempt to gain access to the device and its information.
The arrest followed specific intelligence inputs shared by the IAF's intelligence wing with the Delhi Police. Officials said the surveillance and subsequent action helped detect the alleged activities before further damage could occur.
The investigation is continuing, with agencies examining the extent of the alleged information leak, the communications involved and whether any additional individuals were connected to the case.
The case comes amid heightened scrutiny of suspected espionage networks and attempts to obtain sensitive information through social media platforms.
In a separate case last year, a resident of Rajasthan's Alwar was arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan's intelligence agency. The arrest followed a surveillance operation conducted in the state's cantonment area after Operation Sindoor.
Investigators had reportedly found the activities of the accused, identified as Mangat Singh, suspicious during the surveillance operation. He was allegedly honey-trapped by a woman using the pseudonym Isha Sharma, who reportedly posed as a Pakistani handler and offered him money in exchange for cooperation.
The accused was also alleged to have remained in contact with Pakistani handlers through social media platforms for around two years.
The latest arrest has once again highlighted the security risks posed by social media-based honey traps, particularly when individuals with access to sensitive information are targeted. Authorities are continuing to investigate the case and determine the full extent of the alleged security breach.
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