Another YouTuber Exposed as Key Link in Pakistan-Backed Spy Ring

The State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) in Mohali has dismantled what officials describe as a sophisticated espionage and terror-backed network centered around a prominent YouTuber from Punjab. The individual at the heart of the probe is 32-year-old Jasbir Singh of Mahlan village in Rupnagar district, whose online persona “Jaan Mahal” has attracted thousands of subscribers.

Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav disclosed that Singh’s YouTube channel, ostensibly dedicated to regional culture and social issues, masked his clandestine ties to operatives involved in anti-national activities. “Our intelligence indicates that Singh fostered close relationships with key members of a terror-backed espionage ring,” Yadav told reporters on Tuesday, underscoring the gravity of the revelations.

According to the DGP, investigators uncovered that Jasbir maintained frequent contact with PIO Shakir—also known as Jutt Randhawa—whom they identify as a pivotal operative within the spy network. Singh was also in touch with Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who was recently arrested on espionage charges, along with Ehsan-ur-Rahim, better known as Danish. Danish, a Pakistani national, had earlier been expelled from the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.

Evidence shows that Jasbir attended Pakistan National Day celebrations in New Delhi upon Danish’s invitation, where he met several Pakistani Army officials and vloggers suspected of intelligence-gathering activities. “He interacted with individuals who have links to foreign intelligence services,” DGP Yadav explained, noting that Singh’s presence at the event raised immediate red flags for security agencies.

Forensic examination of Singh’s seized electronic devices revealed extensive communication logs with contacts based in Pakistan. Further analysis indicated at least three separate trips taken by Singh to Pakistan—first in 2020, again in 2021, and most recently in 2024. During these visits, he allegedly met with handlers who provided him tasks related to gathering sensitive information back in India.

Once Jyoti Malhotra was arrested, Singh reportedly sought to delete his call logs and message history in an effort to cover his tracks. Undeterred, SSOC cyber experts retrieved remnants of his digital footprint, prompting the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) at the State Special Operations Cell in Mohali under charges of espionage and terror-related activities.

DGP Yadav stressed that this case represents only a fragment of the broader network under scrutiny. “Our investigations continue to unravel additional collaborators and uncover the full extent of the operation,” he said. Security agencies have now launched a countrywide operation to identify those who aided Singh in logistics, intelligence gathering, and recruitment.

Residents of Rupnagar, where Singh’s family resides, expressed shock at the allegations. “He was always seen as a tech-savvy, socially conscious youth,” said a neighbor who asked not to be named. “No one suspected he was involved in anything like this.”

The SSOC has advised the public to report any suspicious online activity or associations with foreign nationals, emphasizing that vigilance remains crucial. Meanwhile, Singh remains in custody as authorities pursue further leads, including the identities of Pakistani contacts in his network and any domestic facilitators who may have assisted in relaying information.

As the investigation unfolds, Punjab’s law enforcement agencies have reiterated their commitment to dismantling terror-financed espionage cells operating under seemingly innocuous covers. “This arrest underscores the evolving threat landscape, where social media influencers can be co-opted into intelligence operations,” remarked DGP Yadav. “We will not waver in our efforts to root out such threats to national security.”