Pak agents groomed Hisar YouTuber as spy asset: Cops

The Hisar police have uncovered alarming details about travel vlogger and YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, arrested recently on espionage charges. According to Hisar SP Shashank Kumar Sawan, Jyoti had travelled to Pakistan shortly before the Pahalgam terror attack and was allegedly being groomed by Pakistani agencies as an asset.

The SP stated that Jyoti was closely associated with Danish, a Pakistani official previously declared persona non grata and expelled from India. Investigations revealed that during sponsored trips to Pakistan, Jyoti maintained contact with influencers and attended social gatherings. Authorities traced these connections through her YouTube channel, “Travel with Jo”, which she also confirmed during interrogation.

SP Sawan warned that vloggers seeking views and followers often shared sensitive information without realising the consequences, jeopardising national security. He urged social media users to remain vigilant and avoid falling into similar traps.

Jyoti had no direct access to classified information, but her frequent visits, interactions during conflicts and suspicious exchange of favours were under scrutiny, particularly given Hisar’s strategic importance. Forensic analysis of her devices was underway, with authorities examining her communications and potential role in spreading pro-Pakistan narratives, the SP said, adding that the authorities were also investigating whether she served as an agent for distorting narratives in favour of Pakistan. A video claiming “Hindus are safe in Pakistan” was being treated as possible propaganda.

Jyoti had been under surveillance before her arrest two days ago. SP Sawan confirmed she was being treated as per legal protocols while her social media accounts were being analysed. The probe continued into her Pakistani contacts, shared information and possible foreign influence.

As per the FIR, filed at Hisar Civil Lines Police Station, Jyoti visited the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi and met Ahsan-Ur-Rahim (alias Danish). During two subsequent Pakistan trips, she connected with Ali Ahwan, Shakir and Rana Shahbaz, who facilitated meetings with intelligence officials. She allegedly saved their contacts under fake names and continued communicating via WhatsApp, Telegram and Snapchat after returning to India.

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