Authorities have apprehended Mahendra Prasad, the manager of the DRDO guest house located at the Chandan Firing Range in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, for alleged espionage on behalf of Pakistan’s ISI. Prasad’s position placed him in close proximity to sensitive defense activities. The CID Intelligence of Rajasthan took him into custody.
Prasad is accused of providing classified details and strategic intelligence to Pakistan. He is believed to have maintained continuous communication with Pakistani intelligence operatives, and was allegedly leaking sensitive data pertaining to Indian defense operations.
In light of Independence Day, security agencies nationwide were operating under heightened vigilance, focusing on intelligence gathering and surveillance. This operation led to the arrest of Prasad.
Investigations revealed that Prasad, a native of Palyun, Almora, Uttarakhand, used social media to connect with Pakistani intelligence. He is suspected of relaying information about DRDO scientists and Indian Army officials involved in missile and weaponry tests conducted at the Chandan Field Firing Range. The facility in Jaisalmer is crucial for evaluating strategic defense technologies.
Security agencies performed a joint interrogation and a comprehensive forensic analysis of Prasad’s mobile phone. The examination showed that he shared information regarding several DRDO operations and Indian Army activities with his Pakistani contact. Based on these findings, CID Intelligence arrested Prasad on espionage charges. Officials are currently assessing the extent of the security compromise and investigating if other individuals were part of the information network.