IAF Wing Commander arrested for allegedly sharing classified information after falling for online lure

An Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander has been arrested for allegedly sharing classified defence information after being honey-trapped through social media by a woman suspected by police of working for Pakistani intelligence operatives.

According to Delhi Police sources cited in the reports, the officer was arrested on May 31 following inputs from the IAF intelligence wing. He was subsequently questioned in police custody before being sent to judicial custody and is currently lodged in Tihar Jail.

The officer has been booked under provisions of the Official Secrets Act over the alleged sharing of classified information and confidential defence-related material.

According to the investigation, the officer became acquainted with the woman through social media while he was going through a difficult period in his personal life. Their interaction reportedly progressed to regular video calls, after which the woman allegedly began seeking information connected with military activities.

Police sources said the officer allegedly shared information concerning the movement and deployment of military units, along with photographs, videos, documents and other sensitive material through digital channels.

Investigators are examining the extent of the information allegedly disclosed and how it was intended to be used. They are also trying to establish the communication platforms used by the officer and the woman and identify the alleged foreign handlers involved in the case.

A separate aspect of the investigation concerns an alleged attempt to gain access to another defence officer’s mobile phone. According to police, the woman asked the Wing Commander to install a particular application on his colleague’s phone.

It is suspected that the application could have been spyware or remote-access malware capable of obtaining information from a device. Police are examining whether the alleged attempt was part of a broader effort to access the phones and information of other defence personnel.

Delhi Police suspect that the woman who established contact with the Wing Commander was being handled by operatives based in Pakistan. Investigators are now trying to determine whether others were involved in the suspected network and identify those allegedly operating it from outside India.

The arrest followed surveillance of the officer by the IAF intelligence wing. IAF officials said the officer had been under active monitoring before being handed over to law enforcement agencies.

The latest case comes amid continued concerns over social media-based honey traps allegedly being used to target Indian defence personnel and civilians.

Earlier, a case had emerged in Rajasthan involving Alwar resident Mangat Singh, who was arrested last year on allegations of spying for ISI, Pakistan’s intelligence agency. Police had said Singh was allegedly honey-trapped by a Pakistani female handler using the name Isha Sharma and was offered money in return for cooperation. Investigators had also said he remained in contact with Pakistani handlers through social media for about two years.

In the present case, the investigation remains focused on tracing the digital trail, determining the amount and nature of information allegedly shared and identifying the suspected foreign handlers.