DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

A Punjab-based YouTuber alleged to be in close touch with influencer Jyoti Malhotra, who is in custody on charges of spying for Pakistan, has been arrested after a "terror-backed espionage network" linking him to Pakistani intelligence and army officials was unearthed, police said on Wednesday.

Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said Jasbir Singh alias Jaan Mahal (41) was allegedly spying for Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

Singh, a resident of Mahlan village in Rupnagar, was running the YouTube channel "JaanMahal Video" with over 11 lakh subscribers, ostensibly posting travel and cooking vlogs, said police.

He was found to be associated with Pakistani Intelligence Operative (PIO) Shakir alias Jutt Randhawa, who was in contact with a recently-expelled Pakistan High Commission official on charges of spying and had met Pakistan Army officials during one of his three visits to the neighbouring country, Yadav said.

Singh was allegedly in close contact with Malhotra, who was earlier arrested by Haryana Police on espionage charges.

A Mohali court sent Singh to three-day police remand after he was produced before it.

Singh also maintained close contact with Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, the expelled Pakistan High Commission official, said Yadav.

Investigation found that Singh attended the Pakistan National Day event in Delhi on Danish's invitation, where he met Pakistani Army officials and vloggers.

He had also travelled to Pakistan on three occasions including in 2020, 2021 and 2024, and came into direct contact with ISI officers, who subsequently recruited him to carry out espionage activities within India, Yadav said.

The DGP said after Malhotra's arrest, Singh had attempted to erase all traces of his communication with these PIOs to avoid detection. Further investigation is underway to find the broader espionage-terror network and identify all collaborators, he added.

Sharing operation details, Assistant Inspector General of Police Ravjot Grewal said police teams have received reliable input about Singh being in touch with many Pakistan based entities including agents of ISI and has been providing sensitive information about movement of Indian Army and other inside activities of the country to Pakistan.

(editor@dailyworld.in)