Former IAF officer arrested for sharing intelligence with Pakistan.
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Assam’s Sonitpur police have arrested a retired Junior Warrant Officer of the Indian Air Force on charges of sharing sensitive defense-related information with individuals linked to a Pakistani espionage network.
The accused has been identified as Kulendra Sharma, a resident of Tezpur. He was arrested following a credible intelligence input. Sonitpur Deputy Superintendent of Police Haricharan Bhumij provided this information on Friday.
According to the police, initial investigations revealed that the accused had shared sensitive documents and information through social media platforms, particularly WhatsApp. His mobile phone reportedly showed conversations and data exchange with suspected Pakistani spy handlers. However, the exact timeframe of the information sharing is yet to be determined.
Police have seized Sharma’s mobile phone and laptop, which have been sent for forensic examination. Investigators found that some data had been deleted, necessitating a detailed forensic analysis.
A case has been registered at Tezpur Sadar Police Station under Sections 147, 148, 152, 238, and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Further investigation is underway, and the accused will be produced in court.
Notably, Sharma served as a Warrant Officer at the Indian Air Force base in Salonibari, Tezpur, before retiring in 2002. He later worked in the Electronics Department of Tezpur University before retiring from civilian service. He is a resident of the Patiasuburi area of Tezpur.
Police clarified that there is no confirmation yet of a direct link between Sharma and Pakistan, but the evidence suggests communication with suspected spies through digital platforms. More information is expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.
