DRDO Guest House Manager in Jaisalmer Arrested for Spying: Leaked Missile Test & Army Movement Details to Pakistan’s ISI

In a major espionage bust ahead of Independence Day, Rajasthan Police’s Intelligence CID has arrested Mahendra Prasad, manager of the DRDO guest house in Jaisalmer, under the Official Secrets Act for allegedly spying for Pakistan’s ISI. A resident of Uttarakhand, Prasad is accused of leaking sensitive data on missile tests, military troop movements, and guest lists from the Pokhran Field Firing Range over a span of five years. Forensic analysis of his two seized mobile phones confirmed regular contact with a Pakistani handler. Authorities suspect he also passed classified information during Operation Sindoor, and he is currently being interrogated by a joint team of intelligence agencies.
In a major action in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district, Mahendra Prasad, manager of the DRDO guest house, has been formally arrested on charges of spying for Pakistan. The arrest was carried out by the Intelligence CID of the Rajasthan Police under the Official Secrets Act.
According to sources, Mahendra Prasad was taken into custody on August 4. Initial questioning was conducted in Jaisalmer, after which he was brought to the state capital Jaipur three days ago. Data recovered from his mobile phones revealed shocking facts—he had been sending sensitive information related to the Indian Army to a Pakistani handler.
Who is Mahendra Prasad?
The accused is a resident of Uttarakhand and had been working on a contractual basis as manager of the DRDO guest house in Jaisalmer for several years. This position allowed him to easily come into contact with Army officers and scientists.
On the Radar of Investigating Agencies
For some time, Mahendra Prasad’s activities had been under suspicion. Agencies believe that during Operation Sindoor, he may also have provided critical information regarding Indian Army movements to Pakistan. The investigation is ongoing, with security agencies trying to determine how long he has been leaking information and what specific details were compromised.

Who is Mahendra Prasad? Arrested for Allegedly Passing Intelligence to Pakistan
Overview
- Name & Background: Mahendra Prasad (also referred to as Mahendra Singh in some reports), aged 32, hails from Almora district in Uttarakhand. He had been employed as a contractual manager at the DRDO guest house in Jaisalmer since around 2020—or even as early as 2008 according to some sources FirstpostThe Times of India+1.
- Strategic Position: The guest house, located in the Chandan area near the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer, hosts senior defence scientists and military officers during missile tests and other strategic operations mintFirstpostThe New Indian Express.
Arrest Details
- Date & Authorities: He was taken into custody on August 4, 2025, based on intelligence inputs. The Intelligence CID of Rajasthan Police detained him, followed by a joint interrogation in Jaipur. He was formally arrested and remanded in police custody, including a two-day remand granted by a court in Jaipur mintThe New Indian ExpressThePrintThe Times of India+1.
- Legal Charges: Formal action has been initiated against him under the Official Secrets Act, 1923, for espionage The Times of India+1.
Allegations & Evidence
- Nature of the Leak:
- He allegedly transmitted details about missile tests, military and DRDO personnel movements, and guest lists from the firing range to a Pakistani intelligence operative.
- The operation reportedly spanned over five years, during which he communicated with the handler—posing initially as a “DRDO Colonel”—through social media and mobile phones The New Indian ExpressFirstpostNavbharat TimesThe Times of India.
- He is also said to have shared photos, videos, and PDFs related to sensitive tests and visitor logs FirstpostThe Times of IndiaThe New Indian Express.
- Technical Evidence:
- Two mobile phones were recovered and are under forensic examination.
- Remarkably, investigators found no financial transactions in his bank records, suggesting he may not have received monetary compensation for his activities The Times of IndiaNavbharat Times.
- Handling of the Case:
- A Joint Interrogation Committee, including intelligence agencies and the BSF, is handling questioning.
- He’s likely to be transferred to the central investigation center in Jaipur for further examination FirstpostThe Times of India.
Wider Context
- Espionage Crackdown: His arrest follows a wave of similar espionage cases this year, especially after Operation Sindoor, which triggered heightened vigilance. Several individuals—including a YouTuber and a CRPF jawan—have been detained for allegedly sharing defence-related information with Pakistan Firstpost.
- Security Response: Authorities have reinforced surveillance and security measures, especially leading up to Independence Day, due to heightened threat perceptions Navbharat Timeswww.ndtv.com.
Summary Table
Aspect | Details |
---|---|
Identity | Mahendra Prasad/Singh, age 32, from Almora, Uttarakhand |
Position | Manager at DRDO Guest House, Jaisalmer (since 2020 / possibly 2008) |
Charges | Arrested under Official Secrets Act for espionage for Pakistan’s ISI |
Activities | Leaked missile test data, personnel movement, guest information |
Evidence | Mobiles recovered; no monetary traces found |
Investigation | Interrogation by joint agencies; remanded and likely to go to Jaipur CIC |
Broader Context | Part of a series of espionage cases post-Operation Sindoor |
Rajasthan Police’s Intelligence CID has arrested DRDO guest house manager Mahendra Prasad in Jaisalmer for allegedly spying for Pakistan’s ISI. Accused of leaking missile test details, Army movements, and sensitive DRDO data under the Official Secrets Act, the Uttarakhand native was in contact with a Pakistani handler for five years.