IAF Wing Commander Arrested for Espionage

In May 2026, an India — Indian Air Force Wing Commander was arrested for allegedly leaking classified defence information to a Pakistani intelligence operative after being honey-trapped through social media. The officer, whose name has not been disclosed, was taken into custody on the night of May 31 following specific inputs from the IAF's intelligence wing to India — Delhi Police. He was booked under the Official Secrets Act and is currently in judicial custody at Tihar Prisons. The woman, believed to be a Pakistani operative, gained his trust through text and video calls, then persuaded him to share sensitive documents and install data-stealing software on a colleague's phone. The investigation, which involved India — Delhi Police special cell and central agencies, revealed the operation was part of a broader espionage network targeting Indian defence personnel. A charge sheet was submitted on July 30, 2026, and the matter is sub-judice. The IAF stated the officer was under active surveillance and was caught due to proactive measures, reiterating zero tolerance for such activities. The case highlights ongoing risks of social engineering and digital espionage against defence personnel. A similar case involved Mangat Singh, an Alwar resident arrested last year for allegedly spying for Pakistan's Pakistan — Inter-Services Intelligence after being honey-trapped by a handler using the pseudonym Isha Sharma.