x

Like our Facebook Page

   
Early Times Newspaper Jammu, Leading Newspaper Jammu
 
Breaking News :   Follow teachings of Sant Kabir, show equal respect for all faiths: LG Sinha | LG lays foundation of auditorium for GHSS in Samba | No power can undo Aug 5, 2019 changes: LG Sinha | Cong mulls pressure tactics after lone AAP MLA withdraws support from NC-led Govt | Army honours Kargil war hero’s family | Senior IPS Officer Chandra Sekhar appointed in Cabinet Secretariat | 2 months after terror attack, normalcy returning to Pahalgam | Army foils infiltration bid in Rajouri | Identities of 31 victims ascertained through DNA tests | Chopper crash near Kedarnath shrine leaves 7 dead | Anti-terror raids in Poonch | Man held for offering bribe to cop | 10 injured in Bijbhera accident | Jammu Police solves chain snatching case | Omar Govt dedicated to deliver effective governance: Dy CM | HelpAge India Report released by DIG JSK Range Shiv Kumar Sharma | Yogiji’s reign brings transformative era in UP: Amit Shah | First batch of pilgrims for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra departs from Ghaziabad | EAM urged to facilitate safe evacuation of J&K students from Iran | JU AC approves one seat for transgender candidates | Former MLC Pardeep Sharma holds meeting with media | Ascoms celebrates Blood Donation Day | MLA Mohan Lal pays obeisance at Bua Dati Shrine | British Ravidasia Heritage Foundation delegation meets Dr. Jatiya | Major General Anupinder Singh Bevli, VSM, Inspires Cadets of CATC-J4 at NTA Nagrota | Tributes paid to Rifleman Aurangzeb, Shaurya Chakra, on his 7th Anniversary | Father’s Day- My Father was an epitome of Simplicity, Integrity & Devotion | “Bahu Fort a story untold in stones” Bahu fort in Jammu is believed | WOMEN EMPOWERMENT | Turtles in Trouble: The fight to save these ocean giants | Farmers as proud stakeholders | Strict action against littering in Bhopal division Rs 1 lakh fine collected in two months | The more you sweat in uniform training, the less blood will be shed in life: CM Yogi Adityanath | Jammu police booked notorious drug peddler of Miran Sahib area under PIT-NDPS Act | Special ticket checking campaign conducted in train number 22478 | BOPEE conducts Common Entrance Test for GNM-Lateral Entry Courses-2025 | Conduct of Physical Mock Test for Agniveer Recruitment Training | Conduct of medical, veterinary camp for Gujjar, Bakkarwals | Natrang present hilarious performance of a new Hindi Play ‘ Shaatir Khiladi’ | Indian Yoga Association celebrates International Day | SCCU pays heartfelt tribute to Ahmadabad air crash victims | Record number of farmers participated in 15 days Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan in District Samba | Cardiac awareness camp at Border village | BJP Marks 11 Years of Transformative Governance: Kavinder | Over 1,000 cyclists participate in “Cyclothon, Pedal for Peace” | Khatana slams Omar Govt for neglecting tribals, seeks white paper on welfare schemes | Sachin Tendulkar Foundation to develop 50 playgrounds in Naxal-hit Dantewada | I would like to build a team culture where everyone is secure, happy: Gill | Aishwarya Pissay storms to victory in INRC Round 2 | U17 world champion Mansi Lather wins trial for junior Asian Championship | India women”s hockey team loses 1-2 to Australia in Pro League | MGD1 advance to knockout round of World Blitz Team chess | BCCI trims daily allowances for staff, streamlines travel policy | Back Issues  
 
news details
‘Arrested YouTuber Jyoti conducted recce of Pahalgam before terror attack’
5/18/2025 10:32:45 PM
Early Times Report

Jammu, May 18: Many startling revelations are coming to the fore during questioning of the arrested popular YouTuber and a well-known travel vlogger, Jyoti Malhotra, arrested on allegations of espionage for Pakistan.
Authorities claim that she conducted a reconnaissance of the tourist destination Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the devastating terror attack in April 2025, which left 26 civilians, mostly tourists dead.
Malhotra, 33, a resident of Hisar, Haryana, is accused of gathering sensitive information at the behest of Pakistani intelligence handlers. Investigators suspect that she was being developed as an asset by Pakistani operatives, with whom she remained in touch through encrypted messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram.
According to police reports, Malhotra had traveled to Kashmir multiple times in 2024 and 2025, documenting her experiences through social media posts and videos. Among her uploads were visuals of her journey on the Srinagar-Banihal train, a shikara ride on the famed Dal Lake, and scenic captures of Pahalgam.
Investigators noted that her video titled “My Thoughts on Pahalgam Kashmir: Should We Go to Kashmir Again?” drew their attention as it was uploaded shortly after the April 2025 attack.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Hisar, Shashank Kumar Sawan, stated that authorities are now working to establish direct links between Malhotra’s visit and the deadly incident. "She was in Pakistan prior to the Pahalgam attack. We are investigating whether her travel had any role in the event. We have also received intelligence suggesting that others may have been involved," he said.
Further investigations revealed Malhotra’s close ties with Pakistani intelligence personnel. She had reportedly traveled to Pakistan in 2023 through visa commission agents and was introduced to intelligence operatives at the Pakistan High Commission. Among her key contacts was an individual named Ehsan-ur-Rahim, alias Danish, who is believed to have facilitated her connections with Pakistan-based handlers. Another Pakistani intelligence agent, Shakir alias Rana Shahbaz, was also among her close associates.
Malhotra allegedly stored their phone numbers under misleading names, such as “Jat Randhawa,” to avoid detection.
Authorities suspect that she shared confidential Indian military mov
"She was in Pakistan prior to the Pahalgam attack. We are investigating whether her travel had any role in the event. We have also received intelligence suggesting that others may have been involved,"
ments and sensitive data, posing a significant national security threat.
Beyond her professional engagements, reports suggest Malhotra maintained personal relations with a Pakistani intelligence officer, with whom she had also traveled to Bali, Indonesia. The expenses for her Pakistan trips were reportedly covered by Danish, adding to suspicions that she was being financially supported by external operatives. Officials are currently analyzing her bank records and digital transactions to identify any suspicious financial movements.
Jyoti Malhotra has been charged under sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, along with Section 152 of the Indian Penal Code (BNS).
She has been placed in police custody for five days, following her confession. Authorities have now handed over the case to the Economic Offences Wing of Hisar, which is conducting forensic examinations of her mobile phones and laptops. Investigators are also scrutinizing her financial dealings to determine the depth of her involvement.
Officials have hinted that Malhotra may not have acted alone and are working to identify potential co-conspirators. The intelligence community continues to monitor activities aimed at recruiting social media influencers for propaganda purposes, emphasizing that modern warfare extends beyond physical borders.
The case remains under active investigation, and further revelations are expected in the coming days.
Jyoti Malhotra was part of a larger espionage network spread across Haryana and Punjab. Five others have also been arrested along with her, including Gujala, a widow from Malerkotla in Punjab, and others. Investigative agencies believe that this network was operated by Pakistani intelligence agents, who were using Indian social media influencers for promotion and image-building.
Jyoti Malhotra's arrest has highlighted the misuse of social media influencers and the growing complexity of cross-border espionage networks. Their activities, especially the recce before the Pahalgam attack, were a serious threat to national security. The case has become even more important in the wake of rising tensions between India and Pakistan and after Operation Sindoor. As the investigation progresses, it remains to be seen whether the full depth of this espionage network and other potential suspects will be unearthed.
  Share This News with Your Friends on Social Network  
  Comment on this Story  
 
 
 
Early Times Android App
STOCK UPDATE
  
BSE Sensex
NSE Nifty
 
CRICKET UPDATE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
Home About Us Top Stories Local News National News Sports News Opinion Editorial ET Cetra Advertise with Us ET E-paper
 
 
J&K RELATED WEBSITES
J&K Govt. Official website
Jammu Kashmir Tourism
JKTDC
Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board
Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board
Shri Shiv Khori Shrine Board
UTILITY
Train Enquiry
IRCTC
Matavaishnodevi
BSNL
Jammu Kashmir Bank
State Bank of India
PUBLIC INTEREST
Passport Department
Income Tax Department
JK CAMPA
JK GAD
IT Education
Web Site Design Services
EDUCATION
Jammu University
Jammu University Results
JKBOSE
Kashmir University
IGNOU Jammu Center
SMVDU