Doddaballapur: Police have arrested a 28-year-old man from Doddaballapur on suspicion of maintaining social media links with individuals identified by investigators as Pakistani gangsters. The accused, Syed Abu Bakar, a resident of Islamapura in Doddaballapur, was arrested based on information provided by the Counter Intelligence Cell and Central Intelligence Bureau officials, police sources said.
According to police, intelligence inputs indicated that Abu Bakar could have been in contact with individuals from Pakistan. Following the information, officers located him and questioned him on August 20. Police said the accused allegedly attempted to leave the spot after failing to provide satisfactory answers to questions about his activities, following which his mobile phone was taken for examination.
The subsequent inspection of the device allegedly revealed his social media interactions with accounts linked to Pakistani gangsters. Police said Abu Bakar was using an Instagram account under the name ‘sayedabudakar313’ and had allegedly liked reels shared by an account identified as ‘Hammadmemon333’.
Investigators said some of the videos allegedly related to Pakistani gangsters and that Abu Bakar had shared some of them as Instagram status updates. Police are examining the nature of his interactions with the account and whether they went beyond merely viewing, liking or sharing social media content.
Police also said several photographs of pistols were found stored on the accused’s mobile phone. His apparent interest in firearms and the nature of the social media content have prompted authorities to investigate whether there was any larger connection or intention behind the activities.
According to the complaint registered by the police, information was received from an informant around 10.30 am on August 20 that Syed Abu Bakar, identified in the complaint as Syed Abu Bakar bin Syed Shafiulla, was allegedly maintaining suspicious interactions with individuals from Pakistan.
Based on the information, police approached and questioned him at around 11 am. The complaint states that he allegedly failed to provide satisfactory answers and attempted to flee from the spot. His mobile phone was subsequently seized and examined.
During the examination, police allegedly found that the accused had been interacting with Pakistani-linked Instagram content. The complaint states that he had liked reels posted by the ‘Hammadmemon333’ account and subsequently shared some of the videos on his own Instagram status.
Police have also alleged that Abu Bakar had shared his identity card with the person operating the ‘Hammadmemon333’ account. Investigators are now examining why the identity document was shared, the nature of the relationship between the two individuals and whether any communication took place through other online platforms.
The discovery of firearm-related photographs on the mobile phone has also become a key part of the investigation. Police said the accused appeared to have an interest in guns and pistols, and are verifying the source of the photographs and whether he had any actual access to firearms.
Authorities said the investigation was initiated as a precautionary measure in view of concerns that online interactions with foreign criminal networks could potentially be used for activities detrimental to national security. Police are investigating whether the accused had attempted to influence or recruit young people or engage in activities that could threaten the sovereignty and integrity of the country.
The accused was reportedly working as an air-conditioner mechanic before his arrest. Police have taken him into custody and are questioning him about his social media activities, the accounts he interacted with, the identity of people with whom he allegedly communicated and the origin of the firearm photographs found on his phone.
Investigators are also expected to examine the contents of his phone and other available digital evidence to determine the duration of his alleged interactions and whether there were communications, financial transactions or other forms of association with people based in Pakistan.
A case has been registered at Doddaballapur Town Police Station based on the complaint. Police said the case has been registered as Crime No. 90/2026 under Sections 113(3) and 197(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
