A few days following Operation Sindoor, Indian authorities have arrested six Indian citizens, including Haryana-based travel blogger Jyoti Malhotra, for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistani agents, according to India Today.
The arrested individuals reportedly acted as informants, financial middlemen, and agents, maintaining networks across Haryana and Punjab.
Officials disclosed that Jyoti Malhotra, who runs the popular YouTube channel “Travel with Jo,” traveled to Pakistan in 2023. She obtained her visa through commission agents and built close connections with Ehsan-ur-Rahim, also known as Danish, an employee at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi during her visit.
Who Is Jyoti Malhotra?
Jyoti Malhotra is a well-known travel vlogger from Haryana who has gained a large following on social media. She runs a YouTube channel called “Travel with Jo,” which has over 3.77 lakh (377,000) subscribers. On Instagram, her account “travelwithjo1” has more than 1.32 lakh (132,000) followers. Her content mainly features travel videos from different parts of India and other countries.
According to her social media bios, Jyoti describes herself as a “Nomadic Leo Girl” and calls herself a mix of modern Haryanvi and Punjabi culture with old-fashioned values. She is popular for exploring new places and sharing her experiences with her audience through videos and reels.
Jyoti has traveled to several countries, including Indonesia and China. However, her videos from a recent trip to Pakistan have attracted the most attention. Earlier this year, she posted many videos showing her journey and experiences in the neighboring country. These videos received a lot of views and comments from her fans.
But now, Jyoti Malhotra is in serious trouble. She has been arrested along with six other people for allegedly sharing secret and sensitive information with agents from Pakistan. Authorities are investigating whether her trip to Pakistan was part of any illegal activity or not.
This case is still developing, but it has raised many questions about how social media influencers should use their platforms responsibly, especially when it involves international travel and sensitive information.
Also Read: Indian Navy Was Ready to Strike Karachi During Operation Sindoor, Reveals Vice Admiral
Jyoti Malhotra Visit to Lahore, Pakistan
Around two months ago, popular social media influencer Jyoti Malhotra shared a series of travel videos from her visit to Lahore, Pakistan. Her content showcased positive cultural highlights, including her experience crossing the Attari-Wagah border, shopping in Anarkali Bazaar, riding public transport, and visiting the iconic Katas Raj Temple, the largest Hindu temple in Pakistan.
She also posted about local cuisine, cultural similarities between India and Pakistan, and even captioned one photo in Urdu: “Ishq Lahore,” meaning “Love for Lahore.” While her posts attracted attention for promoting cross-border cultural appreciation, investigators now claim she may have been unknowingly used by foreign entities to push propaganda due to her online influence.
In addition to her Pakistan trip, Malhotra previously shared travel content from Kashmir, including a shikara boat ride on Dal Lake and a scenic train journey from Srinagar to Banihal.
One of her most recent videos addressed the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people and triggered India’s Operation Sindoor. The video’s caption asked viewers, “Shall we visit Kashmir again?” sparking fresh debate.
Also Read: Operation Sindoor Continues Despite India-Pak Ceasefire, Says Air Force Ahead of Briefing
YouTuber’s Alleged Ties to Pakistan Raise Espionage Concerns
According to investigators, social media influencer Jyoti Malhotra first traveled to Pakistan in 2023, using a visa obtained through commission agents. During her visit, she reportedly met Ehsan-ur-Rahim, also known as Danish, an official from the Pakistan High Commission (PHC) based in New Delhi.
Over time, their relationship grew closer, and Ehsan allegedly introduced her to Pakistani intelligence agents. Earlier this month, Ehsan was declared persona non grata and expelled from India on May 13, 2025, amid rising diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
After returning to India, Malhotra reportedly stayed in touch with these intelligence operatives through encrypted messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat. To avoid detection, she is said to have saved their numbers under fake names like “Jatt Randhawa.”
Investigators claim that Malhotra shared sensitive details about Indian locations and that she visited Pakistan a total of three times. She also allegedly developed a personal relationship with one of the intelligence agents and even traveled with him to Bali, Indonesia.
Authorities believe Malhotra may be part of a wider espionage network operating in regions like Haryana and Punjab, raising serious national security concerns.
