NEW DELHI: The State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) in Mohali, Punjab has unearthed a terror-linked espionage network allegedly operated with Pakistani backing, according to DGP, Punjab Police.Read also: Who is YouTuber Jasbir Singh? Man arrested for ‘links’ with Pakistan-backed spy networkThe network involves Jasbir Singh, a resident of Mahlan village in Rupnagar, who has been arrested. He runs a YouTube channel named ‘Jaan Mahal’. According to DGP, Punjab Police, Singh maintained close contact with multiple Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) suspected of working for Pakistani handlers.These include Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who was earlier arrested for spying, and Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, a Pakistani national and expelled Pak High Commission official.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, according to DGP, Punjab Police.He is also said to have travelled to Pakistan on three separate occasions — in 2020, 2021, and 2024. His seized electronic devices contained multiple Pakistan-based contact numbers, which are now under forensic analysis, said the DGP.
According to DGP, Punjab Police, Singh attempted to erase all evidence of his communication with the network soon after the arrest of Jyoti Malhotra. He was also in contact with another PIO, Shakir alias Jutt Randhawa, who is believed to be a key link in the terror-backed intelligence network. An FIR has been registered at SSOC, Mohali. A full-fledged investigation is underway to map the extent of the espionage network and identify additional collaborators, said DGP, Punjab Police. “Punjab Police remains firmly committed to safeguarding national security and will not allow anti-national elements to thrive on our soil,” the DGP asserted.
