In a significant security breach, Mahendra Prasad, the manager of the DRDO guest house at the Chandan Firing Range in Jaisalmer, has been arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan’s ISI. Prasad was responsible for managing the guest house near the strategic Chandan Field Firing Range. He stands accused of providing sensitive, classified information to Pakistan. The arrest was made by Rajasthan’s CID Intelligence.
The guest house manager is reported to have been in regular contact with Pakistani intelligence. He is alleged to have leaked classified data relating to India’s defense operations.
With Independence Day approaching, security agencies across the country were on high alert, intensifying intelligence gathering. This heightened state of vigilance led to the discovery and arrest.
Investigations indicated that Prasad, hailing from Palyun, Almora, Uttarakhand, established contact with Pakistani intelligence through social media. He is suspected of providing his handlers with details about DRDO scientists and Indian Army officers who visit the Chandan Field Firing Range for missile and weapons testing. The Jaisalmer-based facility is a critical center for testing defense technology.
After being detained, Prasad underwent a joint interrogation by security agencies and a detailed technical analysis of his mobile phone. This revealed that he shared information about DRDO operations and Indian Army activities with his Pakistani handler. Based on the evidence collected, the CID Intelligence arrested Mahendra Prasad on espionage charges. Authorities are examining the potential impact of this breach and exploring whether others were involved in the information sharing network.