In a significant security breach, the Ambala police have apprehended a local resident for allegedly passing sensitive information concerning military and air force movements to an intelligence module operating from Pakistan. The arrest was made following precise intelligence inputs received by the authorities.
Arrest and Court Proceedings
The accused has been identified as Sunil Kumar, a resident of Sabga village in the Ambala district. The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA)-II of the Ambala police took him into custody on Friday. The following day, he was presented before the district court in Ambala, which granted the police a four-day remand for further questioning.
A formal case has been registered against Sunil Kumar under the stringent Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with acts endangering the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India. The First Information Report (FIR) was lodged at the Ambala Cantonment police station.
How the Espionage Operation Unfolded
Ambala Superintendent of Police (SP) Ajit Singh Shekhawat provided crucial details about the case. Sunil Kumar was employed as a supervisor for construction work assigned to a private company within the defence area of Ambala Cantonment. Due to his job, he possessed an official admission card issued by military authorities, granting him access to the restricted zone.
The espionage link was established through a honeytrap operation orchestrated on social media platforms. SP Shekhawat revealed that Sunil Kumar came into contact with the Pakistan-based module via platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and an application called Buddy App. This contact and subsequent communication had been ongoing for approximately seven to eight months before his arrest.
Intelligence Input and Investigation
"We received specific intelligence input about his activity," stated SP Ajit Singh Shekhawat. Acting on this tip, the police interrogated Sunil Kumar. A forensic examination of his mobile phone yielded incriminating evidence, confirming the intelligence agencies' suspicions.
The investigation revealed that Sunil was sharing fundamental information regarding the movement of military units with the foreign handlers. While the exact nature and sensitivity of the leaked data are under scrutiny, the police have confirmed a clear breach. The probe is ongoing to uncover the full extent of the espionage network and the potential damage caused.
This incident highlights the persistent threat of cross-border espionage and the sophisticated use of social media and honeytrap tactics to compromise individuals with access to sensitive defence installations. The Ambala police's operation, driven by intelligence agency collaboration, has potentially thwarted a significant security risk.
