Espionage Investigation Uncovers Sensitive Military Data in Assam

Espionage Case Involving Indian Air Force Employee

Guwahati, March 24: Authorities investigating a suspected espionage incident linked to an employee of the Indian Air Force have discovered images of fighter jets, missiles, and specific location data pertaining to the Chabua Air Force Station in Assam on the suspect's mobile device.

Sumit Kumar, a 36-year-old resident of Uttar Pradesh, serves as Multi-Tasking Staff at the Chabua Air Force Station located in Dibrugarh district. He is accused of disseminating sensitive defense information for financial gain since 2023.

According to Advocate Sudesh Sattavan, who is involved in the case, the examination of Kumar's mobile phone revealed shared images of aircraft and missiles, along with geographical coordinates from the Chabua base. This evidence suggests he may have received payments from Pakistani sources.

Investigators have also identified substantial financial transactions amounting to lakhs of rupees directed to Kumar's bank account, with the precise figures still being analyzed.

The investigation indicates that Kumar maintained regular communication with alleged handlers in Pakistan via social media and even assisted in creating accounts for them using mobile numbers registered in his name.

Kumar was apprehended on March 22 during a coordinated operation involving Air Force Intelligence and Rajasthan Intelligence.

This arrest is connected to a previous case involving an individual named Jhabara Ram, who was detained in Rajasthan in January. This earlier case reportedly helped authorities uncover a larger espionage network linked to the Air Force station in Assam.

Prafull Kumar, Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence), previously suggested that this case points to a more extensive espionage operation allegedly supported by Pakistan, with further connections still being investigated.

After his arrest, Kumar was transported to the Central Interrogation Centre in Jaipur, where he is being interrogated by multiple intelligence agencies.

A court has granted a 10-day remand for Kumar, and he is expected to appear again on April 2.

A case has been filed under the Official Secrets Act of 1923 and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita of 2023.

Officials have indicated that these developments may signify a serious breach, with ongoing efforts to identify additional accomplices and fully understand the scope of the network.

This incident marks the second arrest from Assam in a span of three months and the fourth from the Northeast, highlighting a concerning trend.

In December, security forces apprehended three suspected spies in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, including a retired Indian Air Force personnel from Tezpur, for alleged connections with intelligence operatives based in Pakistan.

In Assam, Tezpur Police arrested Kulendra Sharma, a resident of Patiachuburi under Tezpur Sadar Police Station, on espionage charges. Sharma, who had served at the Tezpur Air Force Station before retiring in 2002, was later employed in the electronics department at Tezpur University.