‘IAF official’ calls BSF man for strategic info

A Border Security Force (BSF) official in Barmer received three phone calls from a man, who introduced himself as a squadron leader of India Air Force and asked for strategic sensitive information about operational preparedness.

The BSF official, however, snubbed the caller for seeking sensitive information over the phone. The BSF also alerted the local IAF authorities, and the police. Local officials suspect that it were ‘spoof calls’, which usually take place through internet.

As per the BSF, of the three calls he received on October 9, two showed originating from Andhra Pradesh and one from Delhi. In all the calls, a man, who introduced himself as Squadron Leader Abhishek and claimed that the BSG and IAF are planning a joint exercise for which he needs some information.

The BSF official refused to share the information and instead asked the caller to send the local officer to BSF office with authorized letter. At this the caller disconnected the call.

“We have shared the matter with the local IAF authorities, police and district administration. We are also investigating the matter,” said local BSF office.

Superintendent of police, Barmer, Gagandeep Singla, confirmed that on Wednesday BSF officials met him and given him in writing a complaint against the spoofing calls. SP said that they contacted the IAF headquarters in Delhi and inquired about the number from which BSF official had got the call.

The Delhi IAF officials said that no call was possible from that number. According to Singla, in the past too Pakistan-based intelligence operatives had many made such calls to the various departments and tried to track the strategic sensitive information. “Considering the past history we are not ruling out the possibilities of a Pakistan connection in this matter. Detailed investigation would reveal more facts,” the SP said.

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