SUMMARY
- Jasbir Singh, alias JaanMahal, is the second popular YouTuber arrested for alleged links to Pakistan’s ISI.
- Police say Singh attended events at the Pakistan Embassy and attempted to wipe digital footprints after Jyoti Malhotra’s arrest.
- The arrests reflect a deeper infiltration effort amid the national security alert after Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam attack.
India’s YouTube Under Surveillance: From Creators to Collaborators?
The world of Indian digital creators is witnessing an unexpected and disturbing twist. What was once a domain for content and creativity is now under intense national security scrutiny. With over a million followers, Jasbir Singh, known online as ‘JaanMahal’, is the latest face in a swelling espionage probe that has already taken down another influencer, Jyoti Malhotra. Both are accused of aiding Pakistan’s ISI by allegedly sharing sensitive military information and forging deep operational contacts.
Singh’s arrest comes in the wake of heightened intelligence operations following the Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent Operation Sindoor. According to police, Singh had direct ties with ISI handler Shakir, alias Jutt Randhawa, and attended Pakistani Embassy events on invitation from expelled official Danish. These findings suggest a calculated attempt to embed digital influencers into surveillance rings targeting military data.
The situation intensifies a longstanding geopolitical rift with Pakistan but adds a new and deeply concerning dimension: the manipulation of soft influence channels like YouTube for hostile intelligence operations. As more arrests trickle in—from student operatives to local residents across northern India—the line between online fame and offline espionage is getting alarmingly blurred.
BIG BREAKING 🚨 Punjab Police arrests famous YouTuber Jasbir Singh for spying for Pakistan.
— MG (@chddigang) June 4, 2025
He was in touch with the ISI operative Shakir and visited Pakistan three times. Jasbir Singh deleted many videos from his channel #Sikhs pic.twitter.com/aUdtgfylzD
From Subscribers to Surveillance: Jasbir Singh’s Digital Trail
- Jasbir Singh was arrested by Punjab’s State Special Operations Cell in Rupnagar.
- Officials say he had direct contact with Pakistani ISI agent Shakir and expelled diplomat Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish.
- Singh erased chats and evidence after Malhotra’s arrest, but his devices revealed ties to Pakistan and Embassy visits.
Jasbir Singh’s arrest isn’t a standalone incident—it’s part of a tightening investigative net. Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav stated that Singh had traveled to Pakistan three times and maintained digital communication with known Pakistani operatives. He also allegedly participated in events at the Pakistani Embassy, signalling not just ideological sympathies but possible coordination.
Singh’s attempts to scrub incriminating data after fellow YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra’s arrest only drew more suspicion. Forensic teams are now combing through his devices, which contain Pakistani numbers and records of communications with ISI-linked individuals. Singh’s connections with Malhotra and expelled diplomat Danish reinforce the belief that this wasn’t an isolated case but part of a deeper espionage web.
Police sources claim Singh had advance knowledge of surveillance operations, suggesting he may have been tipped off or actively managed by handlers. His large digital following and public access likely made him an ideal conduit for subtle observation, location tracking, or even psy-ops influence.
A Pattern of Digital Radicalisation? More Arrests Signal an Espionage Ecosystem
- Jyoti Malhotra (‘Travel with Jo’) allegedly contacted four ISI handlers and sought Pakistani citizenship via marriage.
- Gagandeep Singh from Tarn Taran and Nauman Ilahi from Haryana also arrested in recent espionage crackdowns.
- A Khalsa College student was found sharing cantonment photos with Pakistani agents via social media.
The YouTuber arrests are not isolated blips—they form part of a disturbing national trend. From Malhotra’s alleged romantic overtures to ISI agents to Gagandeep Singh’s sharing of troop movement details during Operation Sindoor, the web seems widespread and digitally savvy. Investigators suggest some individuals were lured by ideology, others by money, and many through emotional manipulation.
Davendra Singh Dhillon, a 25-year-old college student, was arrested for posting photos of a pistol and leaking visuals from Patiala’s military cantonment. Meanwhile, Nauman Ilahi, a security guard, reportedly funneled ISI payments through his brother-in-law’s bank account.
Together, these arrests hint at a larger, decentralized network targeting susceptible individuals via digital platforms. The trend taps into a dangerous evolution—weaponizing content creators not only for soft propaganda but also for hard intel gathering. India’s counterintelligence infrastructure now faces a challenge that stretches beyond traditional surveillance: it must adapt to the blurred boundaries between online identities and national threats.
The Creator-Spy Paradox: A War for Algorithms and Allegiances
The unfolding ‘YouTuber Pakistan spying case 2025’ forces India to confront a dual crisis: the integrity of digital influence and the resilience of its national security apparatus. Platforms once celebrated for democratizing voices are now being exploited by hostile actors in intelligence warfare. As content creators evolve into inadvertent assets or willing collaborators, India must ask harder questions about digital vetting, cross-border interactions, and the weaponization of trust.
While espionage isn’t new, the conduit—social media—certainly is. It’s not just about passwords and photos anymore. It’s about likes, reach, influence—and betrayal. In a post-Operation Sindoor India, the espionage threat is not only at the border, but also in the browser.
