Introduction
With the rising influence of social media in India national security threats are also evolving in new and unexpected ways. Recently a well-known YouTuber from Punjab’s Rupnagar Ropar district Jasbir Singh was arrested on charges of spying for Pakistan. This arrest has not only raised serious concerns about the use of social media but also highlighted a new dimension of the ongoing covert conflict between India and Pakistan.
Jasbir Singh A Profile
Jasbir Singh 41 is a resident of Mehloan village in Rupnagar Punjab. He ran a YouTube channel called Jan Mahal Video which had more than 1.1 million subscribers. His channel mainly featured travel and cooking content. However according to investigators he allegedly used the same platform to pass sensitive Indian military information to Pakistans InterServices Intelligence ISI.
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The Espionage Allegations
According to Indian police Jasbir Singh traveled to Pakistan three times between 2020 and 2024 where he met with ISI agents. He reportedly maintained contact with Pakistani intelligence operative Shakir alias Jatt Randhawa and former official of the Pakistani High Commission EhsanurRahim alias Danish. Forensic analysis of his mobile phone revealed around 150 Pakistani numbers many of which were linked to ISI operatives. After the arrest of his fellow YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra Singh allegedly tried to delete digital evidence from his devices.
Links with Jyoti Malhotra
Jasbir Singh had close ties with Jyoti Malhotra a YouTuber from Haryana who runs the Travel with Jo channel. Malhotra was arrested in May 2025 also on charges of spying for Pakistan. Investigations revealed that she visited Pakistan three times between 2023 and 2025 and met with ISI officials during those visits. Her case brought attention to the emerging threat of espionage through social media .
Legal Proceedings
Jasbir Singh has been charged under the “Indian Penal Code and the Official Secrets Act. He has been remanded to three days in police custody for further interrogation. Authorities are currently analyzing his mobile phone and other digital devices to gather additional evidence .
Social Media and Espionage A New Challenge
According to the Punjab Police ISI is now shifting away from using traditional spies and instead recruiting YouTubers tourists and social media influencers to gather intelligence on Indian military installations and sensitive infrastructure. This new strategy is not only effective in collecting information but is also being used to influence public opinion.
Impact on National Security
The arrests of Jasbir Singh and Jyoti Malhotra have sparked a new debate on national security in India. The “growing threat of espionage via social media has put security agencies on high alert. There is now an urgent need to closely monitor the activities of individuals operating on social media platforms to safeguard national interests.
Conclusion
The arrest of Jasbir Singh has brought to light the serious threat posed by espionage through social media in India. This case underscores how foreign intelligence agencies are exploiting social media influencers for their objectives. It is now imperative for Indian security agencies to intensify surveillance of digital activities and for the public to be educated about the risks so national security can be effectively protected.