The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) is cracking down on a Pakistan-based gangster's network in India, conducting raids across the state to investigate individuals allegedly involved in anti-national activities.
Key Points
- Maharashtra ATS conducted raids at over 40 locations targeting individuals linked to Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti.
- Shahzad Bhatti is accused of using social media to influence Indian youth towards anti-national activities.
- The raids took place across multiple cities in Maharashtra, including Mumbai, Akola, and Nashik.
- The ATS is investigating 53 individuals suspected of being in contact with Bhatti's syndicate.
- The investigation follows revelations of ISI-planned attacks in Delhi and Haryana linked to the Bhatti module.
The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Wednesday carried out raids at more than 40 locations across the state, including Mumbai, targeting persons who were in contact with Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti, officials said.
At least 53 persons were being questioned, they said.
ATS Investigates Anti-National Activities
Bhatti, who operated his gang from abroad, was allegedly trying to influence youth in India towards anti-national activities through social media, an official said.
The raids were being conducted since morning in Mumbai, Akola, Nanded, Pune, Mira Road (in Thane district), Nallasopara (Palghar district), Nashik, Jalgaon, Nagpur and various other places in the state, he said.
Details of the Investigation
The ATS had specific information about suspicious activities of some persons, who were allegedly in contact with Bhatti and his syndicate, he said.
Fifty-three such individuals were identified across the state, and inquiries were being conducted after tracing their locations, he said.
Links to ISI and Planned Attacks
Last week, investigators found that Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI had allegedly planned attacks on a historic temple in Delhi, a popular dhaba on the Delhi-Sonipat highway and a military camp in Haryana through operatives linked to the Shahzad Bhatti module.
The revelations emerged during the interrogation of nine alleged operatives of the module arrested by the Delhi Police Special Cell under their 'Gang Bust Operation 2.0' from multiple states, sources had said.
The Delhi Police recently arrested 482 alleged gangsters and associates, including nine operatives linked to Bhatti, during a 48-hour operation targeting organised crime syndicates and their support networks from May 5 to 7 across the national capital, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
According to the police, the accused were tasked with carrying out random firing at security personnel in north India and the Delhi-NCR region. Some of them were allegedly involved in arms trafficking for the Shahzad Bhatti network.
