# Indian Air Force impersonation arrests

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/indian-air-force-impersonation-arrests
> Updated: 2026-10-08T05:23:31.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

Separate incidents of individuals impersonating Indian Air Force officers have led to police arrests in India.

In September, Rajkot police arrested Pratik Bhardwaj for allegedly posing as an IAF Squadron Leader on Instagram to defraud a woman of ₹1.95 lakh. Bhardwaj reportedly used photos in uniform and videos of the Suryakiran Aerobatics Team to build a false persona and promise job assistance.

In October, Begumpet Police apprehended Nitesh Kumar Pal in Secunderabad for posing as an officer. Pal, a delivery agent from Bihar, was taken into custody as authorities investigate whether he utilized fraudulent service identity documents or uniforms.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-08: Man posing as Indian Air Force officer arrested in Secunderabad

Police in Secunderabad apprehended Nitesh Kumar Pal, a delivery agent from Bihar, for allegedly impersonating an Indian Air Force officer near the Parade Ground.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/man-posing-as-indian-air-force-officer-arrested-in-secunderabad

### 2026-09-12: Rajkot police arrest man for posing as Indian Air Force officer

Rajkot police arrested Pratik Bhardwaj for allegedly posing as an Indian Air Force Squadron Leader on Instagram to defraud a woman of ₹1.95 lakh with promises of a defense job.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rajkot-police-arrest-man-for-posing-as-indian-air-force-officer

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Cite as: Indian Air Force impersonation arrests. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/indian-air-force-impersonation-arrests