Travel Vlogger Among 12 Arrested in “Operation Sindoor”

Indian security agencies have successfully dismantled a sophisticated Pakistan-backed espionage ring operating across Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. The multi-state crackdown, code-named “Operation Sindoor”, led to the arrest of 12 individuals—including a surprising name: Jyoti Malhotra, a popular travel vlogger from Hisar, Haryana.

‍ Jyoti Malhotra: From Vlogger to Alleged Spy

• Malhotra rose to fame through YouTube travel content with over 377K subscribers.
• Came under surveillance after contact with Ehsan-ur-Rahim aka Danish, a Pakistani official at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi.
• First meeting allegedly occurred in 2023 during a visa application process.
• Accused of using WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat to transmit sensitive info.

Suspicious Travel History:

• Visited high-security zones in Kashmir and Ladakh, including:
  • ️ Pahalgam
  • ❄️ Gulmarg
  • Dal Lake
  • Pangong Lake near the LAC with China
• Shared location videos publicly, potentially leaking visual intelligence to ISI.

“Operation Sindoor”: Uncovering the Spy Web

• Launched post-Pahalgam terror attack, triggering nationwide investigation.
• Multiple YouTube channels under scrutiny; more arrests likely.
• Modus operandi:
  • Use of encrypted messaging apps.
  • Jail inmates allegedly exploited to gather intel.
  • Monetary incentives offered for espionage.

❤️‍ Honeytrapping & Psychological Exploitation

• Malhotra reportedly entered an “intimate relationship” with a Pakistani operative.
• ✈️ Traveled with him to Bali, allegedly under emotional manipulation.
• Classic “honeytrap” tactic used to exploit emotional vulnerabilities for covert access.

⚖️ Legal Charges & Proceedings

• Arrested on May 16, 2025; in police custody till May 22.
• ⚖️ Charged under:
  • Section 152 of the Bhartiya Naya Sanhita
  • Sections 3 & 5 of the Official Secrets Act
• Charges include:
  • Compromising national security
  • Unauthorized sharing of official information
  • Misuse of sensitive locations & documents

️ National Security Implications

• Operation Sindoor highlights:
  • The growing sophistication of cross-border espionage.
  • The emerging digital frontiers of intelligence warfare (e.g., YouTube, Telegram).
  • The need for tighter monitoring of digital influencers with foreign ties.

Conclusion: Espionage Just Got a New Avatar

What looked like harmless vlogs and travel reels turned out to be a front for a cross-border spy ring. Operation Sindoor has exposed a chilling truth: in today’s digital world, spies don’t always wear disguises — sometimes, they go viral. As India tightens its security net, this case is a wake-up call that even influencers can become instruments of intelligence warfare.

The investigation is ongoing, and intelligence agencies suspect that the network’s full scope is yet to be revealed.

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