Intelligence officials on Friday claimed they apprehended a suspected Pakistani spy in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The accused, who officials say identified himself as Nandlal Maharaj, was traced to a hotel in the state on Wednesday. Gaurav Yadav, superintendent of police (Jaisalmer), said the accused had maps and photographs of border areas in the state and is probably part of a big espionage network, NDTV reported.

U R Sahoo, additional director general (intelligence) said, "The accused is a Pakistani national who entered the country on a visa. He is being interrogated and will be taken to Jaipur." Intelligence sources believe that the accused was helping smuggle weapons and explosives into India. Police said that eight other operatives, who worked closely with the suspected spy, are on the run after they learnt about his arrest.

Maharaj allegedly crossed into India through a check post on the border with Pakistan at Munabo. He was spotted in one of 350 villages along the Jaisalmer border that are out of bounds for foreigners. Indians also need special permission to enter the zone, NDTV reported. Villagers told investigators that Maharaj was offering money in exchange for information on high-security areas and security arrangements.

Officials said Maharaj and his network sneaked in about 35 kilograms of RDX that was dispatched to carry out blasts at various locations across the country, India Today reported. Indian officials also recovered a diary from Maharaj, which reportedly has details of financial transactions between him and Pakistan's premier intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence. The diary allegedly reveals that Maharaj paid about Rs 70,000 to trade the explosives. Intelligence agencies have initiated an inquiry to find out where the explosives have been dispatched to.

The arrest and recovery of the RDX cache has raised several questions on the functioning of the Border Security Force. Officials said Pakistan has been recruiting Hindus residing in towns adjacent to the border, to use them as spies that communicate using satellite phones with their agents in Pakistan.