The Pakistani city of Muridke—known as the headquarters of the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba and home to the notorious Hafiz Saeed—has once again come into the spotlight. Haryana’s YouTuber and alleged spy, Jyoti Malhotra, reportedly underwent espionage training at this very location. After completing her training, she was sent back to India for her next mission but was apprehended by Haryana Police before she could proceed.

Jyoti Malhotra had traveled to Pakistan just days before the Pahalgam terror attack, spending 14 days in Muridke. According to sources in Hisar police, Jyoti herself revealed this during interrogation. However, she has yet to disclose the details of her mission or whether others were involved. The police are still probing these questions.

Currently, Jyoti remains in five-day custody with the Hisar crime branch. Authorities claim she is not acting alone—more than 20 individuals are reportedly involved in this network, with many believed to be social media influencers.

Freedom to Move in Restricted Pakistani Areas

Despite restrictions for most Indians, Jyoti reportedly moved freely throughout Pakistan, including sensitive areas of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Islamabad, Karachi, and Muridke. Pakistani police provided her security, arranged by a Pakistani intelligence officer named Shakir, at the behest of Ehsan-ur-Rahim (alias Danish), who is posted at the Pakistani High Commission in India.

Possible Link to Pahalgam Attack

Hisar police suspect Jyoti’s involvement in the Pahalgam attack, though she denies it. Investigations reveal she was present in Kashmir three days before the attack, even visiting the exact location where terrorists killed 26 tourists after verifying their identities and religion. The Indian Army launched Operation Sindoor in response. Police reports also indicate that Jyoti remained in contact with Danish, the Pakistan Embassy official, during Operation Sindoor, exchanging sensitive information.

Constant Contact with Pakistani Operatives

Jyoti frequently received calls from Pakistani contacts, especially from Shakir—whose number she saved under the alias “Jat Randhawa.” However, her father, Harish Malhotra, rejects these allegations. He says Jyoti traveled to Pakistan solely for video-making and made many friends there. Even after returning to India, she maintained these friendships. Harish questions whether communicating with friends abroad is now considered a crime and demands the return of Jyoti’s confiscated phone, laptop, and other belongings.