In a notable security breach, a man posing as an Indian Army soldier was apprehended within the Roorkee Military Cantonment in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar district. The arrest took place on Thursday following a tip-off from Army intelligence that alerted local authorities to the suspicious activity of the individual near the Military Engineering Services (MES) gate.
According to Haridwar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Pramod Dobhal, Army intelligence operatives had been monitoring the suspect’s movements in the military zone. When questioned, the man was unable to provide any valid identification, leading to his prompt detention by a collaborative effort involving the Army, local police, and intelligence agencies.
The suspect has been identified as Surendra Kumar, a native of Kolsiya village in Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu district. Upon his arrest, officials conducted a search that yielded numerous forged documents, including 18 debit cards, a counterfeit Army identity card, a phony joining letter, a nameplate, and the Army uniform he was wearing at the time of his capture. Police have confirmed that Kumar has no legitimate ties to the armed forces and have initiated an inquiry to ascertain his motives and any potential connections to broader networks.
This incident brings to light concerns over impersonation within military ranks, as it follows a similar case from September 2025. In that instance, a 48-year-old woman named Ruchika Jain was arrested in Sambhajinagar for allegedly masquerading as a retired Army officer. Jain attended public events dressed in military uniform, claiming to have served as a Captain in the Indian Army. A subsequent search of her residence revealed an extensive collection of military paraphernalia, including ceremonial and combat uniforms, medals, and insignia.
Authorities are now investigating whether the recent cases of impersonation are isolated events or indicative of a larger trend targeting the armed forces. The ongoing scrutiny highlights the potential security implications and the need for heightened vigilance to protect the integrity of military personnel and operations.
