CHANDIDGARH: A 32-year-old YouTuber from Palwal district, Wasim Akram, has been arrested by Haryana Police for allegedly spying for Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI, and sharing sensitive information with operatives linked to the Pakistan High Commission. Akram, who ran a local history and culture channel focused on the Mewat region, is accused of being part of a covert espionage network active for over three years.
His arrest came late Wednesday night after the interrogation of another suspect, 28-year-old Taufiq from Alimev village, who was taken into custody on September 26. Taufiq reportedly confessed to Akram’s involvement during questioning, leading investigators to uncover a deeper web of cross-border communication.
Speaking to reporters, Superintendent of Police Varun Singla said the two men were in regular contact with ISI operatives and the Pakistan High Commission through encrypted messaging and internet calls. “We have retrieved multiple WhatsApp chats from Akram’s phone, some of which he tried to delete. Our cyber team is recovering the rest,” Singla said. He added that several mobile SIM cards, allegedly provided to foreign handlers by Akram, have been seized as part of the investigation.
According to officials, Akram first came in contact with a Pakistani agent named Danish in 2021 while applying for a visa to Pakistan. Although he never made the trip, the two stayed in touch and gradually established a secret working relationship. Police allege Akram sent updates on local infrastructure, movements, and other sensitive details from areas near the border. Taufiq, meanwhile, is said to have provided classified information about military sites and cross-border activity since 2022.
Both men are now in police remand, with the Intelligence Bureau closely monitoring the investigation. The case highlights growing concerns over how social media platforms are being used by foreign intelligence agencies to identify, approach, and recruit individuals under the cover of cultural exchange, travel, or content creation.
This is not the first such case in Haryana. Earlier in May, another social media influencer, Jyoti Malhotra from Hisar, was arrested on similar charges. Known for her travel channel “Travel with Jo,” Malhotra had visited Pakistan twice in 2023. Authorities believe she was also passing sensitive information to ISI handlers. She remains in judicial custody, and her arrest is linked to a wider network believed to operate across Haryana and Punjab, involving at least five others.
A senior police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said such cases reflect a dangerous trend where influencers and online personalities are targeted due to their digital reach and perceived credibility. “What starts as a harmless interaction or professional inquiry can quickly turn into espionage,” he said.
SP Singla confirmed that more arrests are likely as the investigation continues. The authorities have increased digital surveillance on high-risk individuals and pledged a firm response to any threat to national security.
As of now, Wasim Akram remains in custody in Palwal, his YouTube channel inactive.
