Maharashtra ATS has started questioning 102 people on suspicion of having contact with Pakistani gangster Shahzad Bhatti on social media. 58 teams of ATS are investigating in 14 units of the state. They are accused of radicalizing the youth and involving them in anti-national activities.
The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Friday said it has started questioning 102 persons across the state who are suspected to be in touch with Pakistani gangster Shahzad Bhatti through social media. This inquiry is part of the investigation into alleged anti-national activities.
According to the ATS, the interrogation began at 7 am today and is being conducted by 58 ATS teams across 14 regional units in Maharashtra.
The action has been initiated following suspicions that Bhatti was using social media platforms to influence and recruit Indian youth for anti-national activities.
Bhatti’s network used to trap such youth
According to preliminary investigation and information received from various agencies, Bhatti and his associates, Abid Jat alias Abid Chal, Ajmal Gurjar, Hammad Memon, Rana Hunain and Ashraf Bashir Alam, among others, allegedly used fake or multiple accounts on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Telegram and WhatsApp to contact Indian youth.
The ATS said the accused allegedly exploited religious and socially sensitive issues to create resentment among the youth and radicalize them. He is also suspected of giving financial inducements to unemployed and economically weak youth to involve them in anti-national and anti-social activities.
According to the investigation, this network was also allegedly involved in gathering confidential information, drug smuggling, transportation of illegal weapons and creating sleeper cells or local agents to carry out activities detrimental to national security.
ATS appealed to the people
The ATS has appealed to citizens, especially the youth, to avoid interacting with unknown or suspicious persons on social media and urged parents to keep a close eye on the online activities of their children.
The agency also advised people not to fall prey to online offers promising easy money or illegal work, and warned that even small tasks assigned by strangers could be part of a larger terrorist plot. The agency also urged people not to believe or spread rumors or social media content that may jeopardize national integrity or disturb law and order.
Maharashtra Police and Maharashtra ATS reiterated their commitment to maintain peace, security and communal harmony in the state, and warned that strict action will be taken against anyone involved in activities that pose a threat to the security of the nation.
Action in Maharashtra after Delhi Police action
Earlier in the day, Maharashtra ATS had said it had identified 112 people across the state who allegedly came in contact with Bhatti through social media. It said that these individuals are being traced, their whereabouts are being verified and they are being questioned as part of the inquiry.
The ATS had also conducted searches at several locations across Maharashtra including Mumbai, Thane, Kurla, Bandra, Jogeshwari, Navi Mumbai, Mira Road, Bhayandar, Sangli, Satara and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in connection with the investigation. The search focused on individuals who were allegedly in touch with Bhatti through social media.
The statewide action comes days after Delhi Police Special Cell busted two alleged modules linked to Pakistan-based alleged ISI handler Shahzad Bhatti and arrested six suspects from Delhi and Punjab.
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