In a major counter‑intelligence exercise, Mahendra Singh (also known as Mahendra Prasad)—the administrator of the DRDO Guest House at the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer has been arrested by security agencies on charges of spying for Pakistan’s intelligence bureau, the ISI. Sources say he could have had a long history of espionage activity.
Arrest and Investigation
Mahendra was arrested by authorities on August 4, 2025, based on intelligence reports. A Joint Interrogation Committee (JIC) comprising officers of central agencies and the BSF has been constituted to investigate further. Mahendra was in the position since 2018–19 and was based in Almora, Uttarakhand. The guest house where he is based is strategically close to missile and weapons test ranges at Pokhran. Investigators believe he passed classified details such as guest lists, missile trial schedules, personnel movements, and infrastructure deployment to an ISI contact, using a phone number allegedly provided by the Pakistani agency. While no financial trail has surfaced, Mahendra reportedly sent PDF files containing guest information over several years.
National Security Impact
The guest house of the DRDO was visited by senior scientists and officials who were regularly engaged in strategic weapon development and trials such as missile and electronic warfare test events. Leaks from such an institution can jeopardize highly secretive military programs and operational confidentiality. The authorities have already seized two mobile phones, which are being subjected to forensic tests. Singh has been shifted to Jaipur’s Central Investigation Centre for intense interrogation. A formal First Information Report (FIR) would follow based on JIC inputs.
Broader Context and Vigilance
This incident comes on the heels of previous DRDO official espionage cases, such as the well-publicized arrest of veteran scientist Pradeep Kurulkar from Pune (May 2023), who was subsequently charged under the Official Secrets Act for allegedly sharing sensitive missile development information with a Pakistani agent. The repeat attempts at espionage reflect persistent vulnerabilities surrounding insider risks, honey-trap activities, and targeting contract staff around sensitive defence establishments. The arrest of the DRDO guest house administrator at Pokhran is a serious violation of national security, given the possibility of leaks coming from one of India’s most sensitive testing facilities. Ongoing investigations will establish the full scope and period of the espionage, and indicate the necessity for stricter surveillance procedures around key defence installations.