In a significant national security breach, Mahendra Prasad, the contractual manager of a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) guest house near the Chandan Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, was arrested on August 12, 2025 by the Rajasthan CID Intelligence. He stands accused of espionage, allegedly sharing highly sensitive details about the movements of DRDO scientists and Indian Army officers with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

Authorities confirm that Prasad used social media and phone communications to transmit classified information, including missile testing schedules and the presence of military personnel, raising serious national security concerns just weeks ahead of Independence Day. The case has been registered under the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and Prasad is set for court remand and further interrogation. Security around Jaisalmer and other sensitive sites has been significantly ramped up in response.

Investigation Details and Official Statements

According to Dr. Vishnukant, Inspector General of Police, CID (Security), Mahendra Prasad’s arrest came after extensive joint interrogations conducted by multiple intelligence agencies. A forensic examination of his mobile phone revealed continuous communication with Pakistani intelligence operatives.

Prasad had been serving as the guest house manager for four to five years, a role that provided him direct access to critical operational information at the Chandan Field Firing Range. This facility is a central hub for testing missiles and advanced weaponry, making the compromise of such information extremely serious.

The Rajasthan CID confirmed that classified details, including the movements of scientists and army officers during weapons trials, had been leaked. In response, authorities have increased surveillance, particularly around hotels, dharamshalas, railway stations, and desert resorts frequented by visiting scientists and military personnel.

The Strategic Importance of Chandan Field Firing Range

The Chandan Field Firing Range spans over 20,000 acres in the remote deserts of Jaisalmer. It serves as a critical testing ground for conventional and advanced weapon systems, including recently tested systems like the Prospina anti-tank guided missile.

Equipped with electronic targets, surveillance cameras, and advanced data analytics tools, the range ensures precise testing and robust operational security. Despite its remote location and historically stringent security, this incident highlights vulnerabilities, particularly from insiders with privileged access.

Following Prasad’s arrest, security measures have been intensified, including strict entry checks at border defense installations across Rajasthan. Authorities are actively investigating whether other breaches or accomplices exist.

Who Is Mahendra Prasad?

Mahendra Prasad, originally from Almora in Uttarakhand, had been the manager of the DRDO guest house in the Chandan area of Jaisalmer since 2008. His position at the guesthouse allowed him to monitor the movements and schedules of scientists and army personnel staying there during missile and weapons trials.

Police reports indicate that he used digital tools and social media platforms to send sensitive data to Pakistani intelligence agents. Sources revealed that he had been sending PDF files containing guest lists and other operational details for the past five years. These files reportedly helped Pakistan assess ongoing tests and projects at the Pokhran range.

Inspector General Vishnukant noted that Prasad also shared information about missile and weapons testing, making the breach highly sensitive. Evidence recovered from his mobile phone suggests the espionage may have occurred over several years, though investigations are ongoing to determine the full scope.

Allegations and Evidence Against the Guest House Manager

• Position: Contractual manager at the DRDO guesthouse near Chandan Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer.

• Accusation: Spying for Pakistan’s ISI.

• Method: Communication with Pakistani operatives via social media and phone calls.

• Information Leaked: Movements and schedules of DRDO scientists, details of Indian Army officers visiting the range, and other confidential defense-related information.

• Modus Operandi: Exploited his role as guesthouse manager to monitor and relay sensitive details.

• Evidence: Technical examination of his mobile phone revealed espionage-related communications and data transfers.

• Legal Action: Case registered under the Official Secrets Act, 1923.

Context: Espionage in India and Operation Sindoor

Prasad’s arrest is part of a broader crackdown on espionage cases across India. Earlier this year, following Operation Sindoor in May 2025, multiple suspected spies were apprehended for allegedly sharing sensitive defense information with Pakistan.

Operation Sindoor was launched in response to terror activities and cross-border attacks, including shelling and drone incursions from Pakistan. During this operation, Indian forces targeted terror facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, neutralizing militant threats. Following these strikes, Pakistani forces retaliated with cross-border shelling, which was countered by India.

Several espionage-related arrests were reported post-operation:

• Shakoor Khan, a government employee, held in Jaisalmer.

• Jyoti Malhotra, a YouTuber from Haryana.

• Devendra Singh, a postgraduate student from Kaithal.

• Shahzad, a businessman from Rampur.

• Moti Ram Jat, a jawan of the Central Reserve Police Force.

These arrests reflect a heightened focus on national security, particularly in areas near the Pakistan border.

Jaipur, Rajasthan: Mahendra Prasad, a DRDO contractual manager in Jaisalmer’s Chandhan field firing range, was arrested for allegedly sending sensitive military videos to a Pakistani handler. Footage of missile tests, weapons, and army movements was recovered from his phone.… pic.twitter.com/DUoPVrBjLz— IANS (@ians_india) August 13, 2025

Implications and National Security Perspective

This espionage incident underscores the challenges of protecting critical defense infrastructure in an interconnected world. While robust physical security is essential, experts stress the importance of rigorous screening, continuous monitoring, and insider threat detection.

The incident also highlights the broader risks to national security posed by seemingly routine positions, such as guesthouse management, which may have access to highly sensitive operational information. Beyond immediate security concerns, espionage undermines trust between communities and nations, affecting diplomatic and defense relationships.

The arrest of Mahendra Prasad, a DRDO guesthouse manager in Jaisalmer, for allegedly sharing missile and defense secrets with Pakistan’s ISI is a stark reminder of the ever-present threats to national security. With heightened surveillance and investigations underway, authorities are working diligently to ensure the safety of strategic defense installations across India.

This case also highlights the critical role of insiders in espionage and the need for continuous vigilance, particularly in high-security zones near sensitive borders. As investigations continue, the nation watches closely, underscoring the importance of protecting both personnel and national defense secrets.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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