Retired Air Force officer held in Assam for links with Pakistani espionage network

A former IAF officer has been detained in Assam over suspected spying for Pakistan, with police recovering suspicious digital material

PGurus Newsdesk

December 13, 2025

Pakistan spy link suspected: Former IAF officer arrested

Police recover suspicious data from phone and laptop

Assam Police on Friday night arrested a retired Indian Air Force (IAF) officer on suspicion of having links with a Pakistani espionage network, officials said.

The accused has been identified as Kulendra Sarma, a resident of the Patia locality in Tezpur. He was taken into custody after sustained surveillance and preliminary investigations by the police.

According to police sources, Sarma was allegedly in contact with individuals linked to a Pakistan-based spying agency and is suspected of sharing sensitive information. During searches, investigators recovered suspicious material from his mobile phone and laptop, though some data is believed to have been deleted.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Haricharan Bhumij, Sonitpur district, said that while the suspicion of Sarma’s links with Pakistan is strong, it will only be confirmed after the completion of the investigation.

Before his retirement in 2002, Sarma served as a Junior Warrant Officer at the Indian Air Force Station in Tezpur, a strategically significant base that hosts key air assets, including a Sukhoi-30 fighter squadron. After leaving the Air Force, he briefly worked at Tezpur University, police sources said.

A case has been registered against Sarma under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). He is scheduled to be produced before a local court on Saturday.

Police said further investigation is underway to determine the extent of the alleged information leak and identify possible handlers or accomplices.

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