A Wing Commander in the Indian Air Force was arrested on May 31 under the Official Secrets Act for allegedly leaking classified national defence information to Pakistani handlers in a honey-trap operation, following an earlier arrest the previous day on May 30.

The probe drew on inputs from the IAF’s intelligence wing and the Intelligence Bureau, who alerted authorities after spotting suspicious activity by the officer.

Police say the case points to a broader espionage network targeting strategic military intelligence, with investigators tracing a digital trail to map overseas handlers.

The case sits alongside prior incidents, including a 2018 case involving Group Captain Arun Marwah and a 2023 Alwar honey-trap linked to ISI, underscoring ongoing social-media-enabled espionage risks.

The officer is accused of leaking classified documents and installing data-stealing software on a colleague’s phone to gain remote access and extract data.

He allegedly directed the transfer of sensitive data through digital channels and was asked to install targeted spyware on a colleague’s phone to facilitate foreign access.

Authorities are assessing whether the leak endangered national security or aided hostile activities on Indian soil, while working to identify overseas handlers.

The honey-trap began when the officer connected with a woman on social media who gained his trust and solicited information on military activities.

The operation used a fake female social media persona that built trust via chats and video calls, eventually prompting the officer to share photos, videos, and deployment details.

Delhi Police filed a chargesheet on July 30; the officer remains in judicial custody at Tihar Jail, with identity withheld as the case is sub judice.

IAF intelligence had placed the officer under active surveillance before turning him over to law enforcement, and the case is being cited as an example of zero tolerance for such offences.

The IAF confirmed the officer was monitored and handed over to authorities after intelligence oversight, highlighting the seriousness of the breach.