In a significant development in the ongoing investigation into a suspected Pakistan-backed espionage network, Punjab Police have revealed that Jasbir Singh, a prominent YouTuber with over a million subscribers, allegedly attempted to destroy all traces of his communications with Pakistani intelligence operatives following the arrest of fellow YouTuber, Jyoti Malhotra. This information was disclosed by the Director General of Police (DGP), Punjab Police, as the state intensifies its crackdown on cross-border subversive activities.
Jasbir Singh, a resident of Mahlan village in Rupnagar district who runs the YouTube channel ‘Jaan Mahal’, was apprehended by the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) in Mohali. Police sources indicate that Singh maintained close contact with several individuals suspected of operating under the influence of Pakistani handlers, including Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who was previously arrested on similar espionage charges. Another key contact identified is Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, a Pakistani national who was expelled from the Pakistani High Commission in India.
According to the DGP, investigations have revealed that Jasbir Singh was invited by Danish to the Pakistan National Day event held in Delhi, where he reportedly interacted with Pakistani Army officials and vloggers. Furthermore, Singh is said to have traveled to Pakistan on three separate occasions in recent years – 2020, 2021, and 2024. His seized electronic devices are currently undergoing forensic analysis, with multiple Pakistan-based contact numbers already recovered.
The police have highlighted that a crucial link in this terror-backed intelligence network is believed to be another Person of Indian Origin (PIO), Shakir alias Jutt Randhawa, with whom Jasbir Singh was also in touch.
“After Jyoti Malhotra’s arrest, Jasbir attempted to erase all traces of his communications with these PIOs to avoid detection,” the DGP stated, underscoring the swift action taken by Singh to cover his tracks once the network began to unravel.
An FIR has been registered at the SSOC in Mohali, and a comprehensive investigation is now underway to determine the full extent of this espionage network and identify any further collaborators. The arrests of both Jasbir Singh and Jyoti Malhotra are part of a broader crackdown by Indian security agencies on suspected spy rings, especially in the wake of heightened security concerns and recent terror incidents.
The Punjab Police have reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to safeguarding national security and have asserted that they will not tolerate the presence or activities of anti-national elements on Indian soil. This ongoing probe aims to dismantle the entire cross-border espionage and terror nexus, ensuring the safety and integrity of the nation.