In an unsettling blend of social media influence and national security breaches, Punjab Police recently uncovered a sinister espionage network linked to Pakistani intelligence operatives — with YouTuber Jasbir Singh, operator of the 'Jaan Mahal' channel, at the heart of the scandal.
Jasbir, a resident of Mahlan village in Rupnagar, isn’t your typical spy story protagonist. Known online for travel and lifestyle content, Singh’s sudden transition from digital creator to accused agent of espionage has jolted both his followers and national intelligence agencies.
Following the arrest of fellow influencer Jyoti Malhotra, Singh panicked. According to Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav, Singh attempted to erase all digital footprints tying him to known Pakistani handlers — including Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, the now-expelled Pakistani high commission official.
But Singh’s attempts at a cover-up came too late.
Investigators revealed:
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He was in regular contact with Shakir alias Jutt Randhawa, a Pakistani Intelligence Operative embedded in a terror-backed spy network.
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He attended Pakistan’s National Day event in Delhi in the presence of Pakistani Army officials and vloggers.
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Singh had visited Pakistan three times — in 2020, 2021, and again in 2024.
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His devices contained Pakistan-based numbers and data now undergoing forensic examination.
A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed at the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) in Mohali, as authorities continue mapping the extent of this espionage web.
The most chilling aspect? These weren’t isolated acts. Singh had direct ties with Jyoti Malhotra, a Haryana-based travel vlogger arrested under the Official Secrets Act. Together, their stories paint a disturbing picture of how seemingly innocuous digital influencers may be leveraged by foreign operatives to gain sensitive information — even if they don’t always realize the full weight of their actions.
With India still grappling with the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack and the brief India-Pakistan military standoff that followed, national security is under tighter scrutiny than ever.
This case is not just about betrayal; it's a wake-up call. It urges India’s digital community to reflect on the dangers of unchecked online associations — and shows how digital platforms can be weaponized far beyond trolls and trends.
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