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India.com
6 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
DRDO guest house manager arrested for spying for Pakistan's ISI in Jaisalmer, was leaking missile secrets, movements of army officers
Mahendra Prasad arrested in Jaisalmer under the pretext of espionage A contractual manager working at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Guest House near the Chandan Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer was arrested by Rajasthan's CID Intelligence for allegedly spying for Pakistan's intelligence agency, the ISI. The man, identified as Mahendra Prasad, is accused of sending secret and strategic information about India to Pakistan. Dr. Vishnukant, Inspector General of Police, CID (Security) in Rajasthan, said that ahead of the state-level Independence Day celebrations, CID Intelligence has been keeping a close watch on possible anti-national activities by foreign agents operating in the state. Who is the accused man? The person arrested in the case of spying for ISI is named Mahendra Prasad. The 32-year-old man is a native of Palyun in Uttarakhand's Almora. He was working as a contractual manager in one of the guesthouses of DRDO in Jaisalmer, located at the Chandan Field Firing Range. Reportedly, he was also posted at the Pokhran Field Firing Range guest house, a high-security location regularly visited by top defence experts, scientists and senior military officers Why was Mahendra Prasad arrested? Rajasthan's CID Intelligence has been investigating the matter. The man was allegedly sharing secret data about possible activities of the DRDO scientists and the Indian Army. This comprised their visits and movements to the Chandan Field Firing Range for missile and weapon testing. After these findings, the suspect was questioned jointly by several intelligence agencies at the Central Interrogation Centre in Jaipur. A technical check of his mobile phone confirmed that he had been sharing sensitive information about the DRDO and the Indian Army with handlers in Pakistan. Following this, a case was registered against Mahendra Prasad, 32, son of Chaniram, on August 12 under the Official Secrets Act, 1923. He was arrested by Rajasthan CID Intelligence on charges of spying. Espionage-related arrests after Operation Sindoor This arrest is part of a larger crackdown on spying activities in the region. Just a few days earlier, another suspected Pakistani spy, Shakoor Khan, a government employee with strong political connections, was arrested in Jaisalmer. Investigators said they recovered 'important evidence of espionage' from his mobile phone. Indian authorities launched a nationwide drive against suspected Pakistani spies following the Pahalgam terror attack and recent military tensions between the two countries. In May this year, over 15 people were arrested from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and other states for allegedly spying for Pakistan and passing sensitive Indian military information to Pakistani handlers.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
DRDO manager arrested in Rajasthan for espionage, sharing secrets with Pakistan's ISI
A contractual manager at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Guest House near the Chandan Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer was arrested on Tuesday by Rajasthan's CID Intelligence on charges of spying for the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI. The manager, identified as Mahendra Prasad, is accused of sending confidential and strategic information about India across the border to Pakistan.(ANI) The manager, identified as Mahendra Prasad, is accused of sending confidential and strategic information about India across the border to Pakistan. He is scheduled to be presented before the court on Wednesday, where he will be taken on remand for further interrogation. Inspector General of Police CID (Security), Rajasthan, Jaipur, Dr. Vishnukant, said that ahead of the upcoming state-level Independence Day celebrations, Rajasthan CID Intelligence has been actively monitoring possible anti-national and subversive activities conducted by foreign agents within the state. During this surveillance, it was found that the contractual manager, a resident of Palyun in Almora district, Uttarakhand, was communicating with the Pakistani intelligence agency through social media. He was allegedly providing confidential information about the movement of DRDO scientists and Indian Army officers visiting the firing range for missile and weapons testing to handlers in Pakistan. Following these findings, the suspect was jointly interrogated by various intelligence agencies at the Central Interrogation Centre in Jaipur. His mobile phone was subjected to a technical examination, which confirmed he was sharing sensitive information related to the DRDO and Indian Army with Pakistani handlers. A case was subsequently registered against Mahendra Prasad, son of Chaniram, aged 32, on August 12 under the Official Secrets Act, 1923. He was arrested by Rajasthan CID Intelligence on charges of espionage. (With ANI inputs)
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
‘Spy' DRDO guest house manager held
Jaipur: The intelligence wing of Rajasthan Police Tuesday arrested Mahendra Singh, manager of a guest house of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) near Chandan Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer, a week after he was detained on suspicion of spying for Pakistan's intelligence agency, the ISI. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Officials said a joint interrogation at Jaipur by police and security agencies produced evidence confirming his role, leading to charges under Official Secrets Act, 1923. IG (Security) Vishnukant said Singh, a resident of Almora in Uttarakhand, was passing sensitive information to his Pakistani handler. "It came to light that he was providing details about visits of DRDO scientists and Indian Army officers to the Chandan Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer. He also passed on information about missile and other weapons testing," Vishnukant said. Singh was managing the guest house for the past four to five years. He is suspected of supplying data on strategic military operations. TNN
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Raj govt readies to enforce New visa rules for Pak nationals
Jaipur: In the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam attack, Rajasthan Police has started preparations to implement the latest directives of the Union home ministry regarding Pakistan nationals holding long-term visa (LTV) in India. The new directives hold particular significance for Pakistani Hindu migrants living across Rajasthan as well as Pakistani nationals who married Indian citizens but have not yet acquired Indian citizenship. Many of them have been living on long-term visas for years without acquiring Indian citizenship. IGP (security) Dr Vishnukant said the directives were contained in the order issued by Pratap Singh Rawat, under secretary in the home ministry's Foreigners-I division, on April 28. It said all Pakistani nationals holding LTVs and yet to become Indian citizens must apply afresh through the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (e-FRRO) portal. The portal will accept applications starting May 10, and the deadline for submission is July 10, it said. The directive, issued under Section 3(1) of the Foreigners Act, 1946, follows an earlier order dated April 25, 2025, which temporarily protected LTV holders from visa cancellation. The latest directive makes reapplication mandatory, failing which the visas of non-compliant individuals will be cancelled. Pakistani nationals reapplying through the portal must upload a copy of their valid LTV certificates, recent passport-size photographs with a white background, proof of their current address, and information on their profession or occupation and religion. If they applied for Indian citizenship, a copy of the application form must also be submitted. Dr Vishnukant said the directives would be implemented in letter and spirit in Rajasthan, where thousands of Pakistani-origin Hindu migrants live in districts such as Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bikaner and Jaipur. Any LTV holder who fails to complete the reapplication process within the two-month period will face cancellation of their visa, he added.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Jaisalmer man held for spying
Jaisalmer: Rajasthan Intelligence, Thursday, arrested Jaisalmer resident Pathan Khan under the Official Secrets Act for allegedly spying for Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Officials said Khan passed sensitive information about India's border security to the Pakistani agency over several years. Inspector general Vishnukant of Rajasthan Intelligence said Khan was detained following surveillance in the strategically sensitive Jaisalmer district near the Pakistan border. "We had been monitoring suspicious activities in the border areas. Khan's movements raised red flags," he said. Investigators allege Khan had been in regular contact with ISI handlers and shared confidential details about military operations along the international border. His communications reportedly included social media exchanges and in-person meetings. According to officials, Khan first visited Pakistan in 2013, where he established ties with ISI operatives. He was allegedly lured into espionage with financial incentives and underwent training in Pakistan. After returning to India, he continued supplying information and even provided Indian SIM cards to Pakistani handlers for intelligence-gathering purposes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Intel Laptops + 1:1 Support for Your Team Lenovo Pro Benefits Learn More Undo "Khan received payments through various channels, including cash and gifts like a gold ring," Vishnukant said. Officials believe Khan made several trips to Pakistan, ostensibly to visit family, but also to meet ISI contacts. Central agencies interrogated Khan at the Joint Interrogation Centre in Jaipur. Authorities are analysing his mobile phone for evidence of transmitting videos and sensitive data to Pakistan. A formal case has been registered against him under the Official Secrets Act, 1923. Investigations are underway to determine the extent of information compromised and whether others were involved in the espionage network.
