Retired Indian Air Force Officer Held in Assam Over Alleged Espionage Links With Pakistan

Tezpur, Assam | December 13, 2025 Assam Police on Friday night arrested a retired Indian Air Force officer in Tezpur on charges of allegedly spying for Pakistan, following what officials described as sustained surveillance and a preliminary investigation into his activities. The accused has been identified as Kulendra Sarma, a resident of the Patia locality in Tezpur town of Sonitpur district. Police said Sarma, who retired from the Indian Air Force in 2002, was taken into custody after investigators gathered inputs suggesting his possible links with individuals connected to a Pakistani espionage network. According to police sources, Sarma was under close watch for some time before the arrest. During this period, investigators reportedly tracked his communications and movements. On Friday night, based on the findings of the surveillance, a police team detained him for questioning and later placed him under arrest. Senior police officials said that Sarma was allegedly in contact with people suspected to be linked to a Pakistani spying agency. He is accused of sharing sensitive information, though the exact nature and extent of the information are still being examined. During the search, police seized his mobile phone and laptop. Preliminary checks revealed the presence of suspicious material on the devices, while some data is believed to have been deleted, raising further concerns. Haricharan Bhumij, Deputy Superintendent of Police of Sonitpur district, confirmed the arrest and said the investigation is ongoing. He stated that while there is strong suspicion regarding Sarma’s links with Pakistan, the allegations cannot be confirmed until the probe is completed and all digital and technical evidence is fully analysed. Police are also trying to recover deleted data from the seized devices as part of the investigation. Before his retirement, Sarma served as a Junior Warrant Officer at the Air Force Station in Tezpur, a strategically important base that houses key air assets, including a Sukhoi-30 fighter squadron. Due to the sensitive nature of the location where he was previously posted, the case has drawn serious attention from security agencies. Officials said his past role and access make the investigation particularly important from a national security point of view. After retiring from the Air Force, Sarma briefly worked at Tezpur University, according to police sources. Investigators are now examining his activities over the years, including his professional engagements, contacts, and travel history, to understand when and how the alleged links may have developed. A case has been registered against Sarma under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), police said. The exact sections have not been disclosed, citing the sensitive nature of the investigation. Officials added that more sections could be added if further evidence emerges during the probe. Police also indicated that other agencies may be brought in if required, depending on what the investigation uncovers in the coming days. For now, Sarma remains in police custody and is being questioned to verify the information gathered so far. Sarma is expected to be produced before a local court on Saturday, where police are likely to seek custody for further interrogation. Authorities said the court will be informed about the progress of the investigation and the need for additional time to examine digital evidence and possible links to a wider network. The arrest has sent shockwaves through the local community in Tezpur, with many expressing surprise over the allegations against a former defence personnel. Police, however, urged the public not to speculate and to allow the investigation to take its course, stressing that conclusions will be drawn only after all facts are verified. Retired Indian Air Force Officer Held in Assam Over Alleged Espionage Links With Pakistan Assam Police have arrested a retired Indian Air Force officer in Tezpur on serious charges of alleged spying for Pakistan. The arrest was made on Friday night after days of surveillance and a preliminary investigation by the police. The accused has been identified as Kulendra Sarma, a resident of the Patia area in Tezpur, located in Assam’s Sonitpur district. Police officials said Sarma was allegedly in contact with individuals linked to a Pakistani espionage network and is suspected of sharing sensitive information. Based on these inputs, a police team detained him for questioning and later placed him under arrest. During the search, his mobile phone and laptop were seized. Investigators found suspicious material on the devices, and some data is believed to have been deleted, which has raised further concern. Before his retirement in 2002, Sarma served as a Junior Warrant Officer at the Indian Air Force Station in Tezpur. This airbase is considered strategically important as it houses key military assets, including a Sukhoi-30 fighter squadron. Because of his past posting, the case is being viewed as sensitive from a national security angle. After leaving the Air Force, Sarma reportedly worked for a brief period at Tezpur University. Police are now examining his activities, contacts, and communication history to understand the nature and timeline of the alleged links. Haricharan Bhumij, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sonitpur, said the suspicion is strong but added that the allegations cannot be confirmed until the investigation is complete. A case has been registered against Sarma under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. He is expected to be produced before a court on Saturday, where police may seek further custody for questioning. Authorities have urged the public not to speculate, stating that the truth will emerge only after a full and fair investigation.