A civilian staff member of the Indian Air Force (IAF) has been arrested in Assam for allegedly leaking sensitive defence-related information, including images of fighter jets and missile systems, from the strategically important Chabua Air Force Station.
The accused, identified as Sumit Kumar (36), was employed as a Multi-Tasking Staff at the airbase. According to officials, investigators recovered photographs and videos of aircraft, missile installations, and key locations within the base from his mobile phone.
Preliminary findings suggest that Kumar had been in contact with suspected foreign handlers through social media platforms since 2023. He is believed to have shared classified information in exchange for money, with agencies tracing suspicious financial transactions to his bank accounts.
The arrest was carried out on March 22 during a joint operation involving Air Force Intelligence and other central agencies. Officials indicated that the case has links to an earlier espionage investigation in Rajasthan, pointing to a possible wider network.
Kumar has been booked under provisions of the Official Secrets Act, 1923 and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. He is currently being interrogated to determine the extent of the information leak and identify any collaborators.
Authorities have termed the incident a serious breach of national security and said further investigations are underway to uncover potential cross-border connections.
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