DRDO Guest House Manager Held for ISI Spying
Rajasthan CID arrests man for leaking defence secrets to Pakistan.
In a major security breach, Rajasthan’s CID Intelligence arrested Mahendra Prasad, a 32-year-old contractual manager at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) guest house near Jaisalmer’s Chandan Field Firing Range, on Tuesday for allegedly spying for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Prasad, a resident of Palyun, Almora, Uttarakhand, is accused of leaking sensitive information about DRDO scientists and Indian Army officers’ movements to Pakistani handlers via social media.
The arrest follows heightened surveillance by Rajasthan CID ahead of Independence Day, aimed at curbing anti-national activities. Inspector General of Police (CID Security), Dr. Vishnukant, revealed that intelligence inputs exposed Prasad’s covert communications with ISI operatives. The Chandan Field Firing Range, a critical site for missile and weapons testing, hosts high-ranking defence personnel, making the breach particularly alarming.
During interrogation at Jaipur’s Central Interrogation Centre, involving multiple agencies, Prasad’s mobile phone was forensically examined, confirming he transmitted details about strategic operations, including missile tests and guest lists of visiting officials. A case was registered against him on August 12 under the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and he is set to appear in court on Wednesday for further remand and questioning.
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Sources indicate Prasad, employed at the guest house since at least 2020, may have been leaking information for years, raising concerns about the extent of the compromise. The arrest comes amid a broader crackdown on espionage in Rajasthan, with another suspect, Shakoor Khan, detained recently in Jaisalmer for similar activities.
The incident has sent shockwaves through India’s defence establishment, highlighting vulnerabilities in sensitive facilities. Authorities are investigating potential accomplices and the full scope of the leaked data. Security agencies have urged personnel in strategic locations to remain vigilant, emphasizing the need to counter foreign intelligence threats targeting India’s military infrastructure.
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