Haryana Police have arrested Jyoti Malhotra, a Hisar-based travel vlogger known for her YouTube channel Travel with Jo, on charges of espionage for sharing sensitive information with Pakistani intelligence operatives.

The arrest, made in New Aggarsain Extension, Hisar, follows a probe into a cross-border spy network spanning Haryana and Punjab.

Malhotra, whose channel boasts 377,000 subscribers, faces charges under Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, and Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). She was remanded to five days in police custody after appearing in court.

Also Read: Mumbai Airport, Taj Hotel Receive Bomb Threats Citing Afzal Guru

A written confession has been obtained, and the case is now with the Economic Offences Wing, Hisar.

According to an FIR filed on May 16 at Civil Lines Police Station, Malhotra’s espionage activities began in 2023 when she visited the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi to secure a visa. There, she met Ehsan-ur-Rahim, alias Danish, a staffer expelled by India on May 13, 2025, for espionage following Operation Sindoor.

Danish introduced her to Pakistani operatives, including Ali Ahwan, who arranged her stay during two 2023 trips to Pakistan. She met individuals like Shakir and Rana Shahbaz, saving Shahbaz’s number as “Jatt Randhawa” to evade suspicion.

Using encrypted platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat, Malhotra allegedly shared sensitive details about Indian locations and promoted pro-Pakistan narratives online. Reports suggest she developed an intimate relationship with a Pakistani operative, even traveling to Bali, Indonesia, with him.

Her social media reach amplified her role in the espionage ring, which exploited vulnerable individuals through emotional manipulation and financial incentives.

Malhotra’s arrest is part of a broader crackdown, with six others detained across Haryana and Punjab, including Guzala from Malerkotla, Punjab, who was similarly lured by Danish with promises of marriage.

Recent arrests include Devender Singh, a Kaithal student, and Nauman Ilahi from Panipat, both linked to Pakistani operatives. The bust, amid heightened India-Pakistan tensions post the April 22 Pahalgam attack, underscores the sophisticated use of digital platforms in espionage. Investigations continue to trace financial trails and potential sleeper cells.

Also Read: Militant Crackdown in Manipur! Nine Militants, Arms Seized