NEW DELHI: The lure of easy money and promises of overseas employment, friendships forged on social media… followed by attempts to draw individuals into an anti-national network!
Shahzad Bhatti is a Pakistan-based terrorist-gangster whose network has faced repeated crackdowns by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Maharashtra ATS, Rajasthan ATS and the Delhi Police Special Cell throughout June and July. In a fresh move to apprehend his sleeper cells, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) conducted simultaneous operations across 112 locations. Maharashtra Police and the ATS have clearly stated that strict action will continue against any elements seeking to undermine the state’s peace, security and integrity.
Preliminary investigations by security agencies reveal that the Pakistan-based handlers would first establish contact with Indian youths via social media. Using fake profiles, they would build trust through casual conversation before gradually attempting to psychologically influence the targets by sharing religious and Islamic jihadist content, often focused on emotionally charged themes. Ultimately, the goal was to incite them toward anti-India activities.
*Maharastra ATS Action*
*पाकिस्तानी गैंगस्टर शहजाद भट्टी के महाराष्ट्र स्लीपर सेल नेटवर्क के खिलाफ एंटी टेररिस्ट स्क्वाड की बड़ी कार्यवाही*
महाराष्ट्र ATS का बड़ा एक्शन: पाकिस्तानी गैंगस्टर शहजाद भट्टी से कथित डिजिटल संपर्कों की जांच तेज
मुंबई/छत्रपति संभाजीनगर/नासिक।… pic.twitter.com/SfNQEvWYnE
— Jayprrakash Singh (@jayprakashindia) July 10, 2026
This, in fact, appears to be the network’s modus operandi. According to security agencies, the investigation also implicates associates of Shahzad Bhatti, such as Abid Jat, Rana Hunain, Mohammad Memon, Ajmal Gujar and Ashraf Bashir Alam, who are accused of reaching out to Indian youths through various social media platforms.
Maharashtra’s Most Extensive Operation to Date
The action taken by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in this case marks its most extensive operation yet. Eighteen regional units across the state launched a coordinated drive, initiating questioning of 112 individuals linked to this cross-border terror network. Simultaneous operations were conducted at multiple locations, including Mumbai, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Beed, Kurla, Bandra, Jogeshwari, Satara, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Mira Road, Bhayandar, Sangli and Ahilyanagar. During these raids, mobile phones, laptops, hard disks and other digital devices were seized; digital forensic analysis of these items is currently underway.
Unemployed and financially vulnerable youth were ‘soft targets’ for terrorists
In its investigation, the Maharashtra ATS discovered that unemployed youths were lured through promises of overseas employment, easy money, job placement, financial assistance and a better future. Once trust was established, they were tasked with developing local contacts and gathering sensitive information, eventually being drawn into crimes such as drug and arms trafficking.
It is noteworthy that an earlier investigation by the NIA revealed this case was not limited to mere criminal gangs; the scope of the probe had expanded to include activities such as terror financing, arms supply, module formation, cross-border networks and supporting terrorism through organized crime.
Significantly, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had previously conducted simultaneous raids at 18 locations across Punjab and Haryana on June 9, 2026, in connection with this same matter. These actions were part of the investigation into three separate cases linked to Shahzad Bhatti. During the searches, documents related to financial transactions, communication records, digital devices and other electronic materials were seized.
BREAKING: Maharashtra ATS Questions 112 Over Links to Pakistan-Based Gangster
The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has questioned 112 individuals across the state in a coordinated operation over their links to Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti.
Teams from all 14 ATS… pic.twitter.com/Ik9mVb7MeG
— Netram Defence Review (@NetramDefence) July 10, 2026
Petrol bomb plot in Delhi uncovered
Additionally, an investigation by the Delhi Police Special Cell in July further escalated the gravity of the matter. Interrogations revealed that plans were being hatched to carry out petrol bomb attacks in the capital under the instructions of Shahzad Bhatti, a handler based in Pakistan. Police and other investigative agencies also recovered videos showing the reconnaissance of certain sensitive locations in connection with this plot.
Network Had Spread to Rajasthan Too
Similarly, the Rajasthan ATS conducted a simultaneous counter-terrorism operation across more than 20 cities in the state this July. Several suspects were interrogated and various pieces of digital evidence were gathered. During their investigation, the agencies concluded that the network was not confined to a single state but was attempting to establish connections across multiple states.
Smartphones: The New Laboratory for Terrorism
Security expert and retired Air Force officer Dr. Rajesh Sharma states, “Today, the internet has become just as powerful a tool for terrorism as the gun. Reaching out to the youth has become far easier than before through encrypted chats, fake social media profiles, digital payments, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), cryptocurrency and online propaganda material. Consequently, counter-terrorism operations have also evolved.”
Dr. Sharma added, “The success of an operation is no longer limited to the recovery of weapons; it now hinges on the meticulous execution of cyber intelligence, data recovery, digital forensics, financial tracking and social media analysis. The deeper the analysis in these areas, the closer one gets to success.”
An Alert Society: The Strongest Shield
The Maharashtra ATS has appealed to citizens, particularly the youth and parents- to avoid unnecessary contact with strangers on social media. People should remain vigilant against overtures promising easy money, jobs abroad, financial aid, or other lucrative offers. If an individual persistently seeks sensitive information, shares content designed to incite religious or social sentiments, or pressures someone to engage in suspicious activities, the matter should be immediately reported to the local police or the relevant security agency.
It is noteworthy that now that terrorism has established a foothold in the digital realm, actions by security agencies alone will not suffice. Social awareness, technological vigilance and citizen cooperation are paramount today; these three pillars can prove to be the most effective strategy for thwarting such networks at an early stage.
