Jyoti Malhotra, a Haryana-based YouTuber, is in police custody on charges of sharing sensitive information and being in continuous contact with a Pakistani citizen. She was arrested on Sunday by the Haryana Police. As the news broke, social media users dug up her old videos related to Pakistan, Instagram photos highlighting her visit to Kashmir, further raising suspicions about her involvement. Shashank Kumar Sawan, Superintendent of Police (SP) Hisar, stated that she was being developed as an asset and had maintained ties with other YouTube influencers and Pakistani nationals.
Shockingly, during the investigation, it has come to light that she was in Pakistan before the Pahalgam attack. SP Hisar added that the investigation is ongoing to establish any possible linkages between her visit and the terror attack.
Red Saree, Snowy View And A Signboard
Jyoti’s smiling pictures on Instagram have come under scrutiny, and among them, one photograph has become epicentre of ongoing discussion. The backdrop of this photo has caused stir and raised suspicions. In the picture, Jyoti is seen smiling against a beautiful scenic view in red saree, which looks like a scene from a Bollywood movie. However, it is the signboard behind her that has drawn the attention. The road signage reads as: ‘Qazigund’. This photograph in particular has triggered concerns over national security.
About Qazigund
Qazigund is a town located in the Anantnag district of the Jammu and Kashmir. This town is popularly referred to as the “Gateway of Kashmir.” Qazigund serves as a major entry point into the Kashmir Valley due to its strategic location along National Highway 44 (NH-44), which connects the valley with the rest of India through the Jawahar Tunnel and the Banihal Pass. Notably, Qazigund serves as important logistical point for security and administrative movements, especially during times of natural disruptions or political unrest. According to reports, Qazigund had become an important route for the troop and equipment’s movement in recent operation. Therefore, Jyoti’s visit as a civilian to Qazigund raises questions seeing the present Indo-Pak conflict and events after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22.
However, this is not the only thing that has led to the pointing of fingers against her. It is revealed that she had visited Kashmir twice in two years. After her visit, she posted video on her social media accounts with content curated as “lesser-known spots” and photos with scenic view. It is alleged that through her posts she passed on information to Pakistani national. Moreover, the locations chosen by Jyoti during her Kashmir visit, including railway junctions, highway toll points, and communication towers all seem more than just a travel vlog.
