Who is Haryana YouTuber Among Six Arrested in Espionage Case Linked to ISIS Pakistan?
Officials, speaking to India Today, confirmed that the case is part of a broader intelligence-gathering operation run by Pakistan.
Who is Haryana YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra? In a significant breakthrough, Indian authorities have arrested six individuals, including a Haryana-based YouTuber, for their alleged involvement in a Pakistan-backed espionage network. The group, operating primarily across Haryana and Punjab, is accused of leaking sensitive information and facilitating covert operations for Pakistani intelligence.
Who is Haryana YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra?
Among the arrested is Jyoti Malhotra, a travel content creator who ran the YouTube channel "Travel with Jo." Officials say Malhotra traveled to Pakistan in 2023 after securing a visa through agents, where she developed ties with Ehsan-ur-Rahim, alias Danish — an official at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.
Danish, who was expelled from India on May 13, 2025, after being declared persona non grata, allegedly introduced Malhotra to multiple Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs). Investigations suggest she stayed in contact with them via encrypted platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat, using aliases such as “Jatt Randhawa” to conceal her interactions.
Authorities allege that Malhotra shared sensitive geographic data and was tasked with promoting favorable narratives about Pakistan on social media. She reportedly entered into a romantic relationship with one operative and even traveled with him to Bali, Indonesia.
Malhotra has been charged under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923. Her written confession is now part of an ongoing investigation led by the Economic Offences Wing in Hisar.
Romantic Manipulation and Financial Transactions
Another key figure is Guzala, a 32-year-old widow from Malerkotla, Punjab, who was drawn into the network through a romantic and emotional entanglement with Danish. Her contact with him began in February 2025 when she visited the Pakistan High Commission to apply for a visa.
Danish allegedly courted her over chat and video calls, gradually persuading her to shift to Telegram for “secure communication.” He sent her money through apps like PhonePe and Google Pay, including instructions to redistribute some of the funds to specific individuals in smaller amounts.
In April, Guzala returned to the High Commission accompanied by her friend Banu Nasreena, another widow from Malerkotla. Danish reportedly facilitated their visas, continuing the operation under the guise of personal connections.
A Web of Recruits
The other arrested individuals include:
- Yameen Mohd (Malerkotla): Acted as a liaison for financial transfers and visa arrangements.
- Devinder Singh Dhillon (Kaithal, Haryana): A Sikh student recruited during a pilgrimage to Pakistan, he allegedly sent videos of Patiala cantonment to handlers.
- Arman (Nuh, Haryana): Accused of supplying Indian SIM cards, transferring money, and attending Defence Expo 2025 on instructions from Pakistani agents.
A Larger Conspiracy Unfolds
Officials, speaking to India Today, confirmed that the case is part of a broader intelligence-gathering operation run by Pakistan. The strategy reportedly focused on targeting vulnerable individuals — particularly women and religious minorities — using emotional manipulation, financial incentives, and fake marriage proposals.
All six accused have reportedly confessed to their roles in the network. The investigation continues, with authorities working to uncover the full extent of the espionage ring and any additional accomplices.