In a bizarre turn of events, Indian authorities have arrested six of their citizens, including a popular vlogger, on allegations of spying for Pakistan — a move that has sparked a wave of online trolling from Pakistani netizens.
The arrests come amid heightened India-Pakistan tensions following recent military posturing and heated rhetoric from both sides. Reports claim that the individuals were detained for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistani intelligence, although no concrete evidence has been made public.
One of those arrested, YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, has become a focal point of online discussion after Indian media published images of her in custody. The Indian government’s actions have drawn criticism not only domestically but also from across the border, where Pakistanis are ridiculing the paranoia and perceived overreaction.
Sarcastic comments flooded Twitter, X, and other platforms, with one user joking, “At least now they’ve stopped arresting our pigeons.” Others compared the arrests to scenes from Indian crime drama shows, while some went as far as to claim that “India will eventually arrest half its population” over its obsession with Pakistan.
Analysts suggest the arrests may be politically motivated, aiming to send a strong domestic message amid rising nationalistic fervour. However, critics argue this approach risks creating internal divisions and suppressing freedom of expression, especially when accusations of espionage lack transparency.
