The Rajasthan police on Monday arrested a Pakistani spy for sharing sensitive information with Pakistan’s intelligence authorities regarding the Indian Air Force’s recently-held “Iron Fist” exercise.
In a joint operation, the Rajasthan Police’s Special Branch (Jaipur) and the CID (Jodhpur zone) arrested Sumar Khan near the Chandhan field firing range of the Indian Air Force, where just two days ago (Friday), the country’s top political and military leadership was present to witness the IAF’s weapons demonstration exercise, “Iron Fist”.
“Iron Fist”, the IAF’s first-ever, day-night exercise, was witnessed by President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister A. K. Antony, Rajasthan Governor Margaret Alva and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Chief of Air Staff N. A. K. Browne and Chief of Naval Staff D. K. Joshi, besides the military attachés of several countries.
Sumar Khan was found to be providing sensitive information to Pakistan’s Financial Monitoring Unit (FIU), intelligence authorities said.
Khan was arrested under Section 3 and 3/9 of the Official Secrets Act and presented in an ACJM court in Jaipur, which sent him to an eight-day police remand, during which he will be quizzed by State and Central intelligence authorities at the Central Interrogation Centre, Jaipur.
“Sumar Khan was providing Pakistani intelligence with information regarding military activities happening at the Chandhan field firing range, Lathi and Pokharan,” said Dalpat Singh Dinkar, Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence). “He used several different mobile phone numbers and used to share strategically important information related to the country’s security with his Pakistani Handling Officer via coded text messages,” said Mr. Dinkar.