'Honey-Trap' fear bites security forces: BSF, CRPF ask troops not to add friends, upload photos in uniform

Women in Indian Armed Forces share their experiences, challenges

A central Intelligence agency has tipped the paramilitary force about the sensitive post. Accordingly, paramilitary and police forces have alerted their troops and warned them of action in case of violation.

According to one such social media alert, CRPF has asked its force not to post/upload photos/videos in uniform and indulge in friendship with strangers on social media platforms.

“It has been observed that CRPF personnel are posting/uploading their photo/videos in uniform and indulging in friendship with strangers on social media platforms. Therefore, the competent authority has desired that all units/offices should ensure that the personnel under their command do not post their photos/videos in uniform on their social media profile. Ensure strict compliance with social media guidelines and don’t make friends on social media without verification of the person. All personnel may also be informed that violation of these instructions will lead to strict disciplinary action against the concerned," an official note said.

Also read: Senior women military officers have this message for young girls aspiring to join armed forces

Similarly, Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora wrote a letter to his force, asking them to not comment, post, transmit, or disseminate any confidential information related to the guilt/innocence/ pending trial of any suspect or arrested person. “Police should not post comments that are inflammatory/derogatory towards victims, suspects or any other individual or group. Police can’t record videos of high-security areas or protected persons.”

Arora also said the police staff must not use social media during duty hours and avoid uploading sensitive information on social media.

Other paramilitary forces have also released or reiterated their social media policy in the past few days and asked all troops — especially those deployed in border areas — to avoid making reels or using social media during sensitive deployments.

Forces like BSF and ITBP have also asked their troops to not upload photos from forward areas and to avoid accepting friend requests from unknown persons.

This month, a ‘honey trap’ case was noticed in the CISF where a constable deployed at Visakhapatnam Steel Plant was found to be in touch with a woman Intelligence officer in Pakistan and may have shared a few details. Pakistan Intelligence officers have also tried to call the control rooms of various forces by introducing themselves as senior officers.