PC with classified data sent out

Confirming the incident, Army spokesman Brig Shruti Kant said it was ‘‘a case of breach of security.’’ A ‘‘computer containing classified material was inadvertently sent out.’’

According to him a ‘‘court of inquiry was ordered and suitable disciplinary action has been initiated against the personnel found responsible for this lapse.’’

The incident occurred in the sensitive Chhamb-Akhnoor sector, the scene of many armoured battles in past wars with Pakistan. The information was on a computer belonging to the 6 Armoured regiment that was sent to local dealers for upgradation and repairs.

Unknown to the regiment’s senior officers, the computer’s hard disk contained the attack and battle plans of the armoured formations in the sector.

The dealers changed the hard disk containing the sensitive information and transferred it to a new computer which they supplied to the local university.

The incident came to light when the university students downloaded the information, sending shockwaves through the Nagrota-based 16 Corps headquarters which is responsible for defence of the sector.

An inquiry into the incident revealed the extent of damage, forcing the Army to take stern measures against the regiment’s officers.

Col Malhotra, the commanding officer of the regiment, as well as his adjutant, Capt Sanjiv Kumar, were held responsible for the leak and a court of inquiry was set up.

It is understood that the then Army chief, Gen S Padmanabhan, took a dim view of the incident and ordered general court-martial proceedings against the officers.

Col Malhotra had already relinquished command of the regiment when the incident came to light. He and his adjutant were placed under arrest as the Army completed it’s inquiry.

The Chhamb-Akhnoor sector is considered a vulnerable point and has seen major Pakistani armoured thrusts in the 1965 and 1971 wars. In fact, after the 1965 operations, the Army had to return a bitterly-won Haji Pir pass in return for land occupied by Pakistani forces in this sector.

Besides being a major embarrassment for Army Headquarters, the incident has also forced the Army brass to review its computer-related security arrangements.

Strict instructions have been sent to all formations to delete any sensitive information stored on computers as a precautionary measure.