Mahendra Prasad, contractual manager of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) guest house near the Chandan Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, was arrested on August 12, 2025, by Rajasthan CID Intelligence.
He is accused of spying for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) by sharing confidential details about the movements of DRDO scientists and Indian Army officers involved in missile and weapons testing. Prasad allegedly used social media and phone communications to relay this sensitive information.
The case has been registered under the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and he is due for court remand and further interrogation. Authorities have intensified security measures around the firing range and across Rajasthan ahead of Independence Day to thwart any anti-national threats.
Investigation Details and Official Statements
According to Inspector General of Police CID (Security), Dr. Vishnukant, Mahendra Prasad was detained following extensive joint interrogations conducted by multiple intelligence agencies. Forensic examination of his mobile phone revealed ongoing communications with Pakistani intelligence agents. Prasad had held the position of guest house manager for four to five years, which provided him intimate access to sensitive operational details at the Chandan Field Firing Range.
This facility is vital for testing missile systems and advanced weaponry, making the leak of information particularly serious. Rajasthan’s CID Intelligence confirmed that classified data, such as missile testing schedules and the presence of army officers, had been compromised.
In response, the local police and other security agencies have escalated their surveillance activity, especially focusing on hotels, dharamshalas, railway stations, and sand dune resorts popular with visiting scientists and military personnel.
Background on the Chandan Field Firing Range and Security Measures
The Chandan Field Firing Range, located in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, spans over 20,000 acres in a remote desert area. It functions as a critical military testing ground for a range of conventional and advanced weapon systems, such as the recently tested Prospina anti-tank guided missile.
The site is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure like electronic targets, cameras, and data analytics tools to ensure precision in weapon trials and maintain operational security. Due to its strategic importance and remote desert location, security has historically been stringent. Nonetheless, recent intelligence and arrests underline vulnerabilities, especially from insiders in sensitive roles.
Heightened alerts and strict entry checks at this and other border defense installations across Rajasthan have been implemented in light of possible terror and espionage threats. Rajasthan Police and central agencies are actively investigating the scope of this espionage case and whether additional collaborators or breaches exist.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This disturbing incident of espionage at a key defense facility highlights the complex challenges of safeguarding national security in an increasingly interconnected world. While safeguarding critical infrastructure must be non-negotiable, The Logical Indian stresses the importance of a comprehensive approach that includes rigorous screening and continuous monitoring alongside efforts to foster societal trust, dialogue, and empathy.
Espionage not only threatens a nation’s defense but also frays the fabric of peace and mutual understanding between communities and nations.
