In a surprising twist in Indian-Pakistani relations, Haryana police have apprehended Jyoti Malhotra, a local YouTuber, on allegations of espionage for Pakistan. Malhotra, known for her travel content, reportedly made multiple trips to Pakistan, with the most recent occurring in March 2025. Authorities claim her travels were funded under suspicious circumstances, especially given her online presence with over 377,000 YouTube subscribers and 133,000 Instagram followers.
Police investigations revealed that Malhotra maintained communications with Ahsan-ur-Rahim, a Pakistani High Commission official expelled from India earlier this month. Her father has defended her, asserting that she obtained all required permissions for her international travel. However, authorities are scrutinizing the source of her travel financing and claiming she has ties to “Pakistani intelligence operatives” and continuous contacts with a citizen from Pakistan. Additionally, the police are probing any possible connection to a recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir.
The situation escalated within the backdrop of rising military tensions after India targeted what it termed as “terror infrastructure” in Pakistan following a militant assault that sparked a reaction. The arrest of Malhotra, coinciding with the expulsion of the Pakistani diplomat, adds further strain to the already delicate relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. This incident underscores the ongoing concerns about cross-border espionage and its implications on security and diplomatic ties in South Asia.
Police investigations revealed that Malhotra maintained communications with Ahsan-ur-Rahim, a Pakistani High Commission official expelled from India earlier this month. Her father has defended her, asserting that she obtained all required permissions for her international travel. However, authorities are scrutinizing the source of her travel financing and claiming she has ties to “Pakistani intelligence operatives” and continuous contacts with a citizen from Pakistan. Additionally, the police are probing any possible connection to a recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir.
The situation escalated within the backdrop of rising military tensions after India targeted what it termed as “terror infrastructure” in Pakistan following a militant assault that sparked a reaction. The arrest of Malhotra, coinciding with the expulsion of the Pakistani diplomat, adds further strain to the already delicate relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. This incident underscores the ongoing concerns about cross-border espionage and its implications on security and diplomatic ties in South Asia.
