NEW DELHI: A Pakistani official posted at the country’s High Commission in New Delhi has emerged as a central figure in an alleged espionage network exposed by Indian authorities this month.The official, Ehsan-ur-Rahim, alias Danish, was expelled from India on 13 May, following allegations that he helped recruit and manage Indian nationals tasked with gathering sensitive information and promoting pro-Pakistan narratives online.

Indian girl visited Pakistan 🇵🇰High Commission for Iftar Dinner party🇮🇳Got invitation by embassy

A travel vlogger from Haryana, Jyoti Malhotra, who was arrested by the Haryana’s anti-espionage wing last week was in regular encrypted contact with “Danish” and other Pakistani intelligence operatives via platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram and Snapchat, often storing their numbers under aliases like “Jatt Randhawa”.Authorities allege that Danish played a key role in cultivating Malhotra as a source.Their first meeting reportedly took place in 2023 at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi, where he is said to have facilitated her visa extension and travel logistics. He also allegedly introduced her to at least two other suspected ISI operatives, identified as Shakir and Rana Shahbaz.Sources close to the investigation said that Malhotra had an intimate relationship with one of her handlers and even travelled to Bali, Indonesia, with him.Officials claim her involvement was not limited to gathering location-based intelligence within India. She was allegedly instructed to post favourable content about Pakistan through her widely followed YouTube and Instagram accounts. Her channel “Travel with Joe” has over 3.2 lakh subscribers, and she also has a significant following on Facebook and Snapchat.Police have booked Malhotra under the Official Secrets Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).