YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, 3 Others Busted in Haryana Spy Ring Linked to Pakistan || QUICK SMART NEWS

CHANDIGARH: Security agencies have claimed that YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra and three others, who have been arrested for spying for Pakistan, were in touch with their handlers even during the recent confrontation, when blackouts were being imposed across northern India.

"Even on May 6, a day before Operation Sindoor, Malhotra went to New Delhi and was in touch with [her handler] Danish, a staffer of the Pakistan high commission in Delhi, and others for the next few days. The same was the case for other accused," said a source. Since May 13, Haryana Police have arrested Nauman Elahi, an Uttar Pradesh resident who worked as a guard at Panipat; Devender Singh Dhillon, a resident of Kaithal; Malhotra, a resident of Hisar; and Arman, a resident of Rajaka village in Nuh. All accused are being questioned by multiple agencies. All of them are accused of spying for Pakistani handlers and sharing important information related to vital installations.

Referring to Malhotra, Hisar SP Shashank Sawan said: "In modern warfare, the enemy tries to set a positive narrative in its favour. The involvement of Malhotra suggests she helped them in setting narratives. This is how influencers and YouTubers are being roped in. Though the SP refrained from sharing details, sources said her income was disproportionate to travel expenses she could have incurred, and some of her trips abroad could have been sponsored. Sawan said Jyoti had been on the radar of central agencies for a long time, and the agencies had also put another YouTuber from Odisha under the scanner. Agencies have established that he was in touch with Pakistan handlers through a terrorist and had also arranged Indian mobile SIM cards for officers of Pakistan's intelligence operatives with his ID. He specifically attended a defence expo and shared the details with Pakistani agencies. In his early 20s, Arman is a Class XII dropout and would carry a bag, claiming to be in search of a job in New Delhi. He was rounded up from Firozpur Jhirka on May 15 at night.

Hisar, Haryana: YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, known for her "Travel With Jo" channel, is among four individuals arrested in connection with an alleged spy ring linked to Pakistani intelligence operatives.

Malhotra, along with Nauman Elahi, Devender Singh Dhillon, and Arman, were reportedly in contact with Pakistani handlers, including a staffer from the Pakistan High Commission, even during recent "blackouts" (likely referring to communication restrictions during sensitive periods like "Operation Sindoor," a retaliatory strike following the Pahalgam terror attack).

Police sources indicate that Malhotra was being "developed as an asset" by Pakistani intelligence, and her role may have involved shaping "favorable narratives" using her social media influence. Investigations reveal she visited Pakistan multiple times and was in a romantic relationship with a Pakistani official, even traveling to Bali with him.

The other arrested individuals are accused of providing sensitive information related to vital installations and arranging Indian SIM cards for Pakistani intelligence networks. Devices recovered from Malhotra are undergoing forensic analysis, and financial transactions are being scrutinised to uncover the full extent of the espionage network. All four accused are currently being interrogated by multiple security and intelligence agencies.