Daijiworld Media Network – Chandigarh

Chandigarh, Jun 4: In a major crackdown on a Pakistan-backed espionage network, Punjab Police on Wednesday arrested Jasbir Singh, a YouTuber from Rupnagar district, for his alleged ties with Pakistani intelligence and terror-linked operatives. Singh, who runs the channel ‘Jaan Mahal’, was reportedly in close contact with Haryana-based influencer Jyoti Malhotra, already arrested on similar charges.

Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav revealed that Jasbir Singh had links with a Pakistani Intelligence Operative (PIO) identified as Shakir alias Jutt Randhawa. The accused also remained in touch with Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, a Pakistani national who was earlier expelled from the Pakistan High Commission for espionage.

“After Jyoti Malhotra’s arrest, Jasbir attempted to delete all digital evidence of his communication with foreign handlers,” DGP Yadav said in a post on X.

Investigations showed that Jasbir had attended the Pakistan National Day celebration in Delhi on Danish’s invitation, where he met Pakistani Army officials and vloggers. He had also travelled to Pakistan thrice—in 2020, 2021, and 2024. His electronic devices, now under forensic examination, reportedly contain several Pakistan-based numbers.

An FIR has been lodged at the State Special Operation Cell in Mohali, and a wider probe is on to dismantle the full network and expose other collaborators.

Jyoti Malhotra, a 33-year-old resident of Hisar who runs the YouTube channel ‘Travel with JO’, was arrested last month. Her links with foreign handlers reportedly helped uncover the larger spy ring.

This action against internal espionage networks follows the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives and a subsequent four-day military confrontation with Pakistan.