IAF Wing Commander Sent Secret War Plans to Suspected Pakistani Operative for Nude Photos
A Delhi Police chargesheet alleges that a serving Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander shared classified operational information—including a secret war-plan document, details of a covert drone unit and coordinates of sensitive military installations—with a suspected Pakistani intelligence operative. The case is before a Delhi court.
The officer, approximately 44 years old, has not been named because the matter is sub-judice. He was arrested on May 30, 2026, following a complaint from the IAF and has been charged under the Official Secrets Act, 1923. Police submitted the chargesheet on July 30, 2026.
Alleged disclosures and communications
According to the chargesheet, the officer communicated with the suspected operative over WhatsApp from January 12 to April 1, 2026. Forensic analysis of the data recovered from the messaging service found 3,008 text messages, 65 images, 65 reactions, 42 voice calls, four video calls and six URLs. The communications came to light after the officer was stopped and checked for carrying a smartphone into his office.
Police allege that the officer uploaded a page from a classified “secret war plan” after receiving a nude photograph from the operative. He allegedly said he would provide a new page of the plan for each such photograph he received.
The information allegedly disclosed covered the strength, organisational structure and operational capabilities of a secret drone unit, as well as drone trials, weapon endurance, targeting mechanisms and locations earmarked for deployment during hostilities. The chargesheet also cites information about fighter aircraft deployed in Leh, a military exercise at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Suratgarh, movements of frontline combat aircraft and coordinates of sensitive installations.
Investigators further allege that the officer “fulfilled the task” of installing specific malware or spyware on the information and communication technology (ICT) devices of five subordinates serving in his unit. The suspected operative had directed him to do so, the chargesheet states. The operative also sent malware applications that could have enabled access to sensitive information on the officer’s devices and to his communications with the chain of command.
Investigation and alleged honey trap
Investigators have described the case as a honey-trap operation. The officer was reportedly going through a personal crisis when he was approached by a woman on social media. According to the allegations, video calls were recorded and later used to blackmail and coerce him.
Forensic experts recovered deleted conversation threads. On the suspected operative’s device, contact profiles were saved as “Meow” and “Stranger Officer”; the officer’s iPhone stored the contacts under the aliases “MSS” and “Neha.”
The officer was posted in a sensitive unit on the Western Front. The IAF’s Air Intelligence Unit had been keeping him under active surveillance before he was handed over to law enforcement, according to the source account.
Delhi Police have said the alleged disclosures could have compromised critical military assets, exposed operational vulnerabilities and put national security at risk. The officer remains in judicial custody at Tihar Jail.
Under the Official Secrets Act, offences involving military or air force affairs can carry a prison term of up to 14 years, along with a fine. The case remains sub-judice. Security agencies continue to face attempts by foreign intelligence operatives to target serving personnel through social media and alleged honey-trapping, the source article notes.
