New Delhi: In a major blow to national security, Indian security agencies have uncovered a dangerous espionage network allegedly linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). A total of 11 people, including YouTubers, scientists, and diplomats, have been arrested across the country.
This crackdown follows the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians. Officials believe the attack was backed by Pakistan-based operatives.
Jyoti Malhotra: Travel Vlogger Turned Spy
On May 16, Jyoti Malhotra, a 33-year-old travel YouTuber from Hisar, Haryana, was arrested. She ran a popular channel called Travel with Jo. Police say she was honey-trapped by a Pakistani High Commission staffer named Danish, who has since been expelled from India.
Jyoti had visited Pakistan three times – in 2023, 2024, and March 2025 – just a month before the Pahalgam attack. Investigators say her travel expenses were unusually high compared to her known income. They are examining whether her videos promoted locations chosen by Pakistani handlers.
Satendra Siwal: Indian Embassy Staff in Moscow
In February 2024, Satendra Siwal, an MTS staffer at the Indian Embassy in Moscow, was arrested in Meerut. He allegedly leaked information about Indian Navy and Air Force systems. He, too, was honey-trapped by a woman posing as ‘Pooja Mehra’ on social media.
Pradeep Kurulkar: DRDO Scientist in Pune
Pradeep Kurulkar, a senior scientist at DRDO, was arrested in May 2023 by Maharashtra ATS. He was accused of sharing missile project details through WhatsApp chats with a Pakistani agent named Zara Dasgupta. He is currently in Pune’s Yerwada Jail.
Nishant Agrawal: BrahMos Engineer
In a joint operation in 2018, Nishant Agrawal, a young BrahMos Aerospace engineer, was caught sharing sensitive missile technology with ISI agents. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in June 2024. The case involved fake female social media profiles used to trap him.
Madhuri Gupta: Indian Diplomat in Islamabad
In 2010, Madhuri Gupta, a press officer at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, was arrested for spying. She shared secret information with two ISI officers. In 2018, she was convicted and sentenced to three years in prison. She passed away in 2021.
Indian Naval Attaché Case
In the early 1990s, an Indian Navy official posted in Pakistan fell into a romantic trap with a Pakistani woman from the Military Nursing Service. He was later found to be compromised and resigned from service.
A Wake-Up Call for India
These incidents show how social media honey-traps, financial lures, and romantic manipulation are being used to target Indians in key positions. From YouTubers to defense scientists, no one is immune.
India’s intelligence agencies have increased surveillance and are tightening internal security protocols. The government has also urged citizens to report suspicious contacts or activities.
This growing pattern is a grim reminder of the silent war waged through manipulation and betrayal—one that India cannot afford to ignore.
