Indian Air Force Wing Commander arrested in espionage case

A serving Indian Air Force Wing Commander has been arrested and charged with espionage for allegedly sharing classified defense information with a Pakistani intelligence operative after being targeted in an online "honeytrap." Delhi Police announced the arrest on Saturday, August 8, 2026, revealing details nearly 50 days after the officer was taken into custody on May 30.

The officer, a 44-year-old posted at a field unit on India's Western Front, was arrested following a complaint from the IAF. He has been booked under the Official Secrets Act, legislation dealing with the unauthorized disclosure of information sensitive to national security. The investigation has been completed, with police filing a charge sheet before a competent court on July 30. The matter is now sub judice, and the officer remains in judicial custody at Tihar Jail, having not applied for bail.

According to officials, the case came to light after the IAF's intelligence wing detected suspicious online activity and placed the officer under surveillance. He was subsequently handed over to Delhi Police's special cell. An IAF spokesperson confirmed the officer had been under active surveillance and stated the...