SHAHJAHANPUR —A man allegedly impersonating an Army Brigadier was detained by the Military Police after he was found moving around a sensitive Army cantonment area in Shahjahanpur on Friday, officials said.

The suspect, dressed in a Brigadier’s uniform and wearing rank insignia, was reportedly seen inside a museum located within the cantonment limits. His presence and activities raised suspicion among visitors and local residents, who found his behaviour unusual.

According to sources, when questioned by members of the public, the individual failed to provide satisfactory responses, prompting them to alert Army authorities. Acting on the information, Military Police personnel reached the spot and took the suspect into custody for further investigation.

During preliminary questioning, the man identified himself as Aryan Verma, a resident of Durga Enclave Colony in the Roza police station area of Shahjahanpur district.

The incident has triggered security concerns as the individual was reportedly moving around a highly sensitive military zone. The area houses an Army brigade formation and also contains official residences of senior civil and police officials, including the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police.

Army intelligence officials have begun interrogating the suspect to ascertain his identity, motives and possible links. A special military intelligence team from Bareilly has also been called in to assist with the investigation and conduct a detailed inquiry.

Security agencies are particularly focused on determining why the suspect was wearing the uniform and insignia of a senior Army officer and how he managed to enter and move around the cantonment area.

A retired Army officer stated that he had seen the individual on several occasions in the past and had been attempting to verify his credentials.

The suspect remains in military custody, and further details are awaited as the investigation progresses.