Ex-army personnel arrested in Bengal for allegedly spying for Pakistan

Kolkata: A former Indian Army soldier accused of leaking sensitive military information to Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI has been arrested by Punjab Police in West Bengal, exposing a suspected espionage network operating near a strategically sensitive military area, according to Times of India.

Rajbir Singh, a former lance naik from Rasulpur in Punjab's Tarn Taran district, was apprehended on Thursday in Hasimara, Alipurduar district, close to the India-Bhutan border. He had allegedly been hiding in the military cantonment area. A special team from Punjab Police carried out the arrest with assistance from Hasimara Police.

Investigators suspect Singh shared classified Indian military information and intelligence inputs with the ISI through the internet while he was serving in the Army. Police are also probing whether others were involved in the alleged espionage network, with efforts under way to trace additional suspects who remain absconding.

A case was registered against Singh at Fazilka police station in Punjab on October 8 under Sections 3 and 4 of the Official Secrets Act. He had reportedly been evading arrest since the case was filed. The investigation led police to believe that he had fled to West Bengal.

Singh was produced before a court in Siliguri, which granted the Punjab Police a two-day transit remand to take him to Punjab for further investigation. The investigating team had initially approached airport authorities to arrange his transportation but was told to secure a court order first.

The case has raised serious concerns over the alleged compromise of sensitive military information and the possibility of a wider network facilitating its transfer to Pakistan.