Pune, 15th July 2026: The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has intensified its investigation into the alleged online network of Pakistani gangster Shahzad Bhatti by questioning 66 individuals across Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune district.
The operation is part of a wider statewide crackdown targeting suspected digital links between Indian youth and Bhatti's network.
The action follows intelligence inputs suggesting that Bhatti and his associates were using social media platforms to reach out to young people in India by circulating videos, reels and messages that allegedly glorified criminal activities and attempted to influence them towards anti-national activities.
The latest operation is a continuation of the statewide raids carried out by the ATS on July 10, when simultaneous searches were conducted at more than 200 locations across Maharashtra, including Pune, Mumbai and Nagpur.
On Tuesday, ATS teams, assisted by Pune City Police, Pimpri-Chinchwad Police and Pune Rural Police, questioned individuals believed to have interacted with Bhatti's online network.
According to the ATS, the investigation is focused on identifying people who may have been influenced through digital platforms and determining whether they had any deeper involvement with the network.
As part of the operation, the ATS detained five young men from different parts of Pimpri-Chinchwad for questioning. The detainees include two from Chakan and one each from Ravet, Wakad and Bhosari.
Preliminary inquiry found that the individuals had liked and shared videos and reels related to Shahzad Bhatti on social media. Officials said they were not found to have any direct contact with the Pakistani gangster but were allegedly exposed to his content through online platforms.
Of the five detainees, three are originally from Uttarakhand, one from Uttar Pradesh and one from Karnataka. Their questioning is continuing as investigators examine the nature of their online interactions and whether any further links exist.
The ATS said the operation is aimed at dismantling online networks that attempt to radicalise or influence Indian youth through social media. Officials are examining digital evidence collected during the investigation, and further action will depend on the findings of the ongoing probe.
