HAL Employee Arrested Over Suspicion of Leaking Fighter Info to Pakistan

An employee working at India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been arrested for allegedly leaking sensitive fighter aircraft information to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency.

The 41-year old man was working as an assistant supervisor. The arrest was made by Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) today. An offense under the Official Secrets Act has been registered against him, NDTV reported.

“The Nashik unit of the state Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) received reliable intelligence about the man, who was in constant touch with ISI. The man was supplying confidential information about Indian fighter aircraft and their manufacturing unit to the Pakistani spy agency through WhatsApp and social media," DCP Vinay Rathod said.The disclosed information includes that on HAL’s manufacturing unit, airbase and prohibited areas at Ozar near Nashik.

HAL’s Nashik facility is tasked with manufacture of Sukhoi Su-30MKI, MiG-21FL, MiG-21M, MiG-21 BIS and MiG-27M fighters and K-13 missiles. The division also carries out overhaul of the MiG series aircraft and Repair and Overhaul (ROH) of Su-30 MKI jets.

Three mobile handsets along with five SIM cards and two memory cards have been seized from the accused.