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In a sweeping crackdown following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Indian authorities have arrested 11 individuals across Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh for allegedly spying for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The group includes a YouTuber, a college student, a factory security guard, and an app developer—reflecting the increasingly sophisticated methods being used to infiltrate sensitive Indian security infrastructure.

Among the most high-profile arrests is Jyoti malhotraa travel vlogger from Hisar, Haryana, who was allegedly being “developed as an asset” by Pakistani agents. With over 385,000 subscribers on her YouTube channel Travel with JoMalhotra had traveled to Pakistan three times between 2023 and March 2025. She reportedly came into contact with expelled Pakistani High Commission staffer Ehsan-ur-Rahim, alias Danish, and is now under five-day police remand.

Also arrested were Gazalaa 32-year-old widow, and Yameen Mohammad from Malerkotla, Punjab, for allegedly acting as conduits in the ISI-linked financial network. Police say they coordinated with Danish for visa assistance and received online funds for espionage- tasks.

Devender Singha 25-year-old political science student from Khalsa College in Patiala, was arrested in Kaithal, Haryana, for allegedly sending images of military infrastructure to Pakistani handlers. He had also visited Pakistan in late 2024 and had posted pictures of firearms on social media at the time of his arrest.

In Nuh, Haryana, two men—Arman and Tareef—were arrested for passing along sensitive military information through WhatsApp and other encrypted platforms. Tareef confessed to being in touch with Pakistani embassy officials and was tasked with photographing Indian infrastructure, including an airport in Sirsa.

Divine Nauumana 24-year-old factory security guard from Panipat, Haryana, originally from Uttar Pradesh’s Kairana, was also arrested. He had traveled to Pakistan multiple times and is accused of passing on classified information. Police have seized his electronic devices for forensic analysis.

In Jalandhar, Punjab, Mohammad Murtaz Ali was caught allegedly spying for Pakistan using a self-developed mobile application. Authorities recovered multiple phones and SIM cards from his possession.

The Uttar Pradesh ATS arrested Shehzada Rampur native, in Moradabad. He had visited Pakistan repeatedly under the guise of cross-border trade in goods like cosmetics and spices. Officials allege his commercial activity was a front for espionage operations and that he maintained direct contact with multiple ISI operatives. He has been placed under 14-day judicial custody.

Finally, in Gurdaspur, Punjab, Sukhpreet Singh and Karanbir Singh were detained for leaking military intelligence linked to Operation Sindoor. According to Punjab Police DGP Gaurav Yadav, both men were activated post-Pahalgam attack and had received funds from ISI. They were allegedly involved in tracking troop movements and drug smuggling and have been booked under the Official Secrets Act.

The arrests mark one of the largest coordinated anti-espionage operations in recent years, underscoring ISI’s deep-rooted digital and grassroots recruitment network within India. Investigations are ongoing.