CNN
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Indian police arrested a travel blogger on suspicion of spying for Pakistan as tensions between the two countries continued to cause conflict between the two neighbors.
Influencer Jyoti Malhotra from northern Haryana has been accused of sharing sensitive information with Pakistan, police officers told reporters.
While arrests in India and Pakistan on suspicion of spying are not uncommon, the Malhotra incident has sparked widespread interest and the fear of all-out war as it comes days after the two countries have fought the most intense conflict in decades.
Police allegedly had been in touch with the Pakistani intelligence operative who had groomed her to become an “asset” in Islamabad. Police allege that Malhotra continued to communicate with operatives during the fatal four-day battle earlier this month.
“She is a travel blogger and during interrogation it was revealed that she fell into a trap by pursuing the content of the viewers, followers and viruses,” Principal Shashank Kumar Sawan said.
Sawan also claimed that Malhotra had been in Pakistan on a “sponsored trip” and that he was in touch with other YouTube influencers who were in touch with Pakistani intelligence agents.
She had no direct access to defense and military intelligence, police said.
CNN contacted the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and attempted to contact Malhotra. She has not been formally charged with any crime.
Malhotra’s father told reporters he was unaware of his daughter’s trip and was making small videos at home. Previously, he told reporters he went to Pakistan after obtaining the necessary permission.
Before this month’s conflict, Pakistanis and Indians were able to travel to each other’s countries, but it was extremely difficult to obtain a visa due to government bureaucracy and historical distrust.
Tensions between India and Pakistan skyrocketed in the aftermath of the Indian-controlled tourist genocide in Kashmir in April.
Islamabad has denied claims that India is blaming Pakistan for its attacks. For four days, the two neighbors exchanged missiles, drones and artillery fires – killing dozens on each side before reaching a ceasefire.
Both sides have since claimed victory, and in the aftermath of the enthusiasm of the short-term conflict, Indian and Pakistani media coverage has seen high levels of nationalist vitriol and exaggeration.
Malhotra posted a travel video to her YouTube channel, which boasts around 400,000 subscribers. Several videos posted in March depict a trip to Pakistan. Pakistan can be seen employing public transport, exploring local markets and visiting the largest Hindu temple in the country with the majority of Muslims.
Malhotra described himself on YouTube as a “nomad wanderer” and posted videos of his trip to Indonesia in the United Arab Emirates and Bali in Dubai.
Speaking to reporters, police questioned how Malhotra funded her trip. “We are analyzing her financial details… Her travel details ignore her source of income,” Sawan argued.
Her arrest is one of several recent cases where Indians are suspected of spying on Pakistan’s behalf.
Police in northern Punjab arrested two people on Monday who allegedly “learn sensitive military information” to Pakistan.
The two men have been accused of “sharing classified details” related to Indian military operations in Pakistan, and share “strategic locations” in Kashmir led by Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and India, police said in a statement from X.
Police are investigating whether an individual is violating India’s official secret law. If convicted, they could face the maximum life sentence in prison.
