“We Are Also At Fault”: YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra’s Video on Pahalgam Attack Resurfaces Amid Espionage Allegations
"We Are Also At Fault": YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra’s Video on Pahalgam Attack Resurfaces Amid Espionage Allegations
A video posted by travel vlogger Jyoti Malhotra—now under arrest for allegedly leaking sensitive information to Pakistani intelligence—has resurfaced online, drawing widespread attention and sparking debate. In the now-viral clip, Malhotra appeared to assign collective responsibility for the recent Pahalgam terror attack not only to the government but also to tourists and civilians for what she described as a “lack of vigilance.”
The video, which was initially shared on her Instagram account before it was suspended, is being reshared widely across social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter). It features Malhotra urging people to be more alert and conscious while visiting sensitive regions such as Jammu and Kashmir.
Jyoti Malhotra reaction after the Pahalgam attack.
— Voice of Assam (@VoiceOfAxom) May 18, 2025
How is it possible that so many people started saying the exact same thing right after the attack? This can't be mere coincidence.
Nothing but a coordinated attempt to shift the focus away from Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/qXGKDEw2tT
“This wasn’t just a government failure—it’s something all of us, as visitors, should reflect on,” she said in the video. “Security forces are deployed throughout the area, yet such a devastating event occurred. That means somewhere, we too dropped our guard. We all need to stay cautious and act responsibly.”
Malhotra further expressed disbelief over reports that locals may have been complicit in the attack. “If individuals are helping terrorists, then they’re betraying the country,” she said. “Corruption or support for such elements isn’t just unethical—it undermines the entire nation. This kind of involvement is unacceptable. There was clearly a breach in security, and both the public and the authorities need to take accountability.”
The 28-year-old content creator from Hisar, Haryana, who runs the YouTube channel Travel with JO, was recently arrested as part of a major crackdown named Operation Sindoor. The operation led to the arrest of 12 individuals, including Malhotra, suspected of sharing classified details with Pakistani handlers.
Officials revealed that Malhotra had previously traveled to Pakistan on a sponsored trip, allegedly driven by the promise of viral content, monetary gains, and increased visibility. During questioning, it emerged that she had also been communicating with foreign operatives during communications blackouts amid heightened tensions in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Her hunger for social media fame made her vulnerable to manipulation,” said Hisar Superintendent of Police, Shashank Kumar Sawan, in a statement to ANI. “She was seeking support and sponsorships openly on her platforms—even asking for help to visit countries like China.”
Authorities have also confirmed that Malhotra had visited Pahalgam just three months before the horrific terror attack. The attack, believed to have been carried out by The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba-affiliated group, resulted in the death of 26 people, many of whom were tourists.
Malhotra’s digital presence was significant, with over 3.77 lakh subscribers on YouTube and 1.33 lakh followers on Instagram before her accounts were taken down.
As investigations deepen, the resurfaced video has intensified scrutiny over the roles influencers and digital creators may inadvertently play in national security matters—especially when personal ambitions intersect with sensitive geopolitical realities.
