NEW DELHI: Videos filmed in Pakistan by YouTubers
Jyoti Malhotra and
Jasbir Singh have come under scrutiny as Indian authorities investigate a suspected espionage network allegedly linked to Pakistan’s intelligence services.
In one Instagram post, Malhotra wrote:
“Meeting @navankurchaudhary in Pakistan HC, glad sharing traveller talks in desi andaaz because we both are Haryanvi vlog uploading on YouTube today!!!! @jaanmahal_video paaji se to kafi pehle se connected from we travelled together Pakistan in Sikh pilgrim, Simply amazing meet up with them!!!!!”
Watch them together in a YouTube video in Pakistan
here.Jyoti Malhotra, a travel vlogger from Hisar, Haryana was arrested in May for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistani intelligence operatives.
Authorities say her actions are in violation of India’s Official Secrets Act and pose a threat to national security.
Jasbir Singh’s involvementThe State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) in Mohali, Punjab, has said the espionage network uncovered was operated with backing from Pakistan.
Among those arrested is Jasbir Singh, a resident of Mahlan village in Rupnagar, who runs the YouTube channel Jaan Mahal.
According to the Punjab Police’s Director General, Singh had close ties with multiple Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) suspected of operating under the direction of Pakistani handlers.
This included Jyoti Malhotra and Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish.
Singh was reportedly invited by Danish to the Pakistan National Day event in Delhi, where he is said to have interacted with Pakistani army officials and vloggers.
He had travelled to Pakistan on three separate occasions.
Punjab Police say Singh’s seized electronic devices contained several Pakistan-based contact numbers, now under forensic analysis.
Following Malhotra’s arrest, Singh allegedly attempted to erase evidence of communication with the network but investigators managed to recover data linking him to other individuals in the suspected espionage ring.
He was also in contact with another PIO, Shakir alias Jutt Randhawa, who is believed to be a key figure in the alleged network.
An FIR has been filed at SSOC, Mohali and police say a full investigation is ongoing to map the full extent of the espionage network and identify other collaborators.
“Punjab Police remains firmly committed to safeguarding national security and will not allow anti-national elements to thrive on our soil,” the DGP said.
Also Read: 'Had close links with Jyoti Malhotra': After Malhotra, another YouTuber Jasbir Singh arrested in Pakistan-backed espionage case'Travel with Jo'Malhotra runs a YouTube channel called Travel with Jo, with over 377,000 subscribers.
Her videos primarily feature international travel content, including several recent vlogs from Pakistan.
Presenting herself as a cultural ambassador, she often aimed to showcase positive images of the places she visited.
Investigators say that her communications with Pakistani officials were concealed using false contact names on platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram and Snapchat.
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