Security Breach: IAF staffer arrested in Espionage case linked to Pakistan

A civilian employee posted at an Indian Air Force (IAF) station in Assam has been arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistani intelligence operatives and sharing sensitive defence information, officials said on Sunday.

The accused, identified as Sumit Kumar (36) , a resident of Uttar Pradesh, was working as a multi-tasking staff (MTS) at the Air Force Station in Chabua, Dibrugarh . He was apprehended in a joint operation by Rajasthan Intelligence and Air Force Intelligence , following a multi-layered investigation.

According to Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence) Prafull Kumar , the case traces back to the arrest of a suspect in Jaisalmer in January 2026 , which provided crucial leads and eventually led investigators to Kumar.

During interrogation, officials revealed that the accused had been in contact with Pakistani handlers since 2023 . He allegedly shared classified and sensitive information in exchange for money , using social media platforms as the primary mode of communication.

Investigators suspect that Kumar passed on critical details related to Indian Air Force operations and infrastructure, including the locations and deployment patterns of fighter aircraft , information on missile systems and defence equipment , as well as details about Air Force personnel and internal movements. He is also believed to have shared sensitive inputs regarding installations and overall operational preparedness. Authorities warned that the disclosure of such information could potentially compromise national security and undermine operational secrecy .

Following his arrest, Kumar was brought to Jaipur and questioned at a central interrogation facility , where multiple intelligence and security agencies are jointly probing the case. A case has been registered under the Official Secrets Act, 1923 , along with relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Officials said the investigation is ongoing to identify possible accomplices and uncover a wider espionage network linked to foreign intelligence agencies.

Security agencies are also examining financial transactions and digital communications to determine the extent of the information leak and the duration of the alleged espionage activities.