National, March 23: In a major counter-espionage operation, Rajasthan Police have arrested a civilian employee posted at the Chabua Air Force Station for allegedly spying for Pakistan and leaking sensitive defence information.
The accused, identified as Sumit Kumar (36), was working as a Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) at the strategically important air base. Officials said he is suspected of sharing classified Indian Air Force inputs with Pakistani handlers through social media platforms in exchange for money.
The investigation traces back to January, when Rajasthan Intelligence arrested Jhabararam from Jaisalmer. His interrogation led to the exposure of a wider espionage network, eventually linking Kumar to operatives believed to be associated with Pakistani intelligence agencies.
According to Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence) Prafulla Kumar, the accused misused his position to access and transmit confidential information related to defence installations. Acting on intelligence inputs, Rajasthan Police, in coordination with Air Force Intelligence units in New Delhi, carried out a joint operation to detain him from Chabua. He was later taken to the Central Interrogation Centre in Jaipur for detailed questioning.
Preliminary findings suggest that Kumar had been in contact with foreign handlers since 2023 and allegedly shared sensitive data not only from Chabua but also from other key military locations, including the Air Force Station in Nal, Bikaner. The information reportedly included details on fighter aircraft deployment, missile systems, and personnel-related inputs.
Investigators further revealed that he aided the network by facilitating the creation of social media accounts using mobile numbers registered in his name, enabling covert communication channels.
Kumar was formally arrested on March 22 under provisions of the Official Secrets Act, 1923 and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Officials described the case as a significant exposure of a Pakistan-backed espionage network, with further investigations underway to identify additional links and assess the extent of the breach.
