NEW DELHI, Aug 8: An Indian Air Force Wing Commander has been arrested for allegedly sharing sensitive defence-related information with a Pakistani intelligence operative after he was allegedly honey-trapped through social media.
The arrest was made in May, officials said on Saturday. The officer, who was posted at a field unit on the Western Front, came under surveillance by the IAF intelligence wing, which later alerted the security agencies after his interactions with a woman on social media raised suspicion.
“He was under active surveillance and was handed over to the suitable law enforcement agencies,” said an IAF spokesperson. According to officials, the officer had been going through a difficult phase in his personal life when he began chatting with the woman. The interaction subsequently turned into regular video calls.
The officer was arrested on May 30, 2026, following a complaint by the Indian Air Force, according to the Delhi Police. He has been booked under the provisions of the Official Secrets Act. “Based upon a complaint by Indian Air Force 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.
The investigation into the case has been completed and a charge sheet was submitted before the competent court on July 30, the police said, adding that the matter was now sub judice. The case comes amid heightened scrutiny by security agencies of attempts by Pakistan-based intelligence operatives to target serving personnel through social media platforms and alleged honey-trapping.
(Manas Dasgupta)
