Ludhiana: Man suspected to be spy enters air force station, arrested

LUDHIANA: At a time when Indo-Pak relations have touched a new low in the wake of Pulwama terror attack and follow-up action thereafter, a man suspected to be a spy was arrested on Wednesday after he illegally entered the air force station premises at Halwara while grazing his cattle.

The nomad, identified as Sukardin, 26, of Halwara in Raikot, was booked under the Official Secrets Act by Sudhar police after he was apprehended by an Indian Air Force officer while grazing cattle in the inner marker of Air force station at Halwara.

In their police complaint, the air force station officials said at 1.15pm on Wednesday, the accused was apprehended by Group Captain Balwinder Singh inside the station premises. Thereafter, chief information officer (CIO), Liaisoning Unit (LU) and assistant provost marshal (APM) staff interrogated the individual.

Later, the suspect was handed over to civil police.

Officials said there are chances that the man might have had entered the area to spy on the air force station.

“It is once again emphasized that most of the PIOs/sleeper cells of various active militant outfits send such people to spy on the station. These people are briefed to behave in an abnormal manner so that the angle of suspicion is ruled out. Such people pose a serious threat to the security of the air force station,” read the application by Wing Commander Navin Bhatia, station security officer, to the SSP Jagraon.

After getting the application, Sudhar police registered a case against Sukardin under Section 3(1) (a) of the Official Secrets Act, 1923.

Sub Inspector Tilak Raj, investigating officer, said on questioning the accused said he was grazing his buffaloes near the Air Force Station when one of the buffaloes entered the station through a broken fencing. He said the accused claimed that he had gone to get his buffalo back when the air force officials shot his video and apprehended him. The IO said fencing wires were broken and anyone could have gone inside. The local court has sent him to judicial custody, he added.