Maharashtra ATS questions 112 people over Pakistan gangster Shahzad Bhatti links
Synopsis
Maharashtra ATS mobilised all 14 of its units simultaneously on 10 July, questioning 112 people over alleged ties to Pakistani gangster Shahzad Bhatti — a former social media influencer now linked to nine busted anti-national modules across India. Security officials warn he is waiting for agencies to grow complacent before striking again.
Key Takeaways
Maharashtra ATS launched a statewide operation on 10 July , questioning 112 people over alleged links to Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti .
All 14 ATS units across Maharashtra were deployed simultaneously from 7 am .
Searches are underway in Mumbai , Thane , Navi Mumbai , Mira Road , Sangli , Satara , and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar .
Since 2025 , Indian agencies have busted nine modules linked to Bhatti — four by the UP ATS and five by the Delhi Police Special Cell .
An Intelligence Bureau official described Bhatti's network as a 'new type of threat' driven by social media influence rather than conventional recruitment.
The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) launched a sweeping statewide operation on Friday, 10 July, questioning 112 people across the state over alleged contacts with Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti. The agency has been investigating whether these individuals were in communication with Bhatti through social media platforms as part of what officials describe as an anti-national influence network.
Scale of the Operation
Teams from all 14 ATS units across Maharashtra mobilised simultaneously at around 7 am, fanning out to residences and locations linked to persons allegedly in digital contact with Bhatti. Searches and enquiries are currently underway in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Mira Road, Sangli, Satara, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, among other locations across the state.
Who Is Shahzad Bhatti
Bhatti, a Pakistani national who once operated as a social media influencer, has emerged as a central figure in a string of anti-national modules dismantled by Indian security agencies since 2025. According to investigators, he allegedly uses social media to target and radicalise young people in India toward anti-national activities. He has so far been linked to nine busted modules — four dismantled by the Uttar Pradesh ATS and five shut down by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police.
What Investigators Are Examining
The Maharashtra ATS is collecting data on communication patterns, online interactions, and the nature of association between the identified individuals and Bhatti. Officials said the agency is verifying whether contacts were incidental or indicative of organised influence operations. Further action, the ATS stated, will depend on the findings of the ongoing enquiry.
A New Threat Pattern, According to Officials
An Intelligence Bureau official, speaking on the broader picture, noted that a clear pattern is emerging across agencies. Typically, when nine modules are busted in quick succession by specialised units, handlers tend to withdraw. Bhatti, however, reportedly remains active, allegedly waiting for security agencies to lower their guard before attempting fresh outreach into India. Officials described this as a 'new type of threat' — one driven by social media reach rather than conventional recruitment channels.
The Maharashtra ATS has confirmed the investigation is ongoing and that further developments will be shared as the enquiry progresses.
Point of View
UP ATS, and Delhi Police Special Cell — are each independently running down threads from the same handler, raising questions about whether a unified coordination mechanism exists. The real test is not how many modules get busted, but whether agencies can disrupt the pipeline before Bhatti identifies the next vulnerability.
NationPress
10 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the Maharashtra ATS launched this statewide operation?
The Maharashtra ATS launched the operation to investigate alleged contacts between individuals in Maharashtra and Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti, who is suspected of using social media to encourage anti-national activities. The agency is questioning 112 people identified as having allegedly been in digital communication with Bhatti.
Who is Shahzad Bhatti?
Shahzad Bhatti is a Pakistani national and former social media influencer who has emerged as the key figure behind multiple anti-national modules busted by Indian security agencies since 2025. Nine such modules have been dismantled — four by the UP ATS and five by the Delhi Police Special Cell.
Which areas in Maharashtra are being covered in the searches?
The ATS is conducting searches and enquiries in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Mira Road, Sangli, Satara, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, among other locations, with all 14 ATS units deployed across the state.
What is the current status of the investigation?
The Maharashtra ATS has confirmed the investigation is ongoing. Further action will be determined based on the findings of the enquiry into communication patterns, online interactions, and the nature of the alleged contacts with Bhatti.
How does Bhatti's network operate, according to officials?
According to an Intelligence Bureau official, Bhatti allegedly uses social media platforms to target and influence young people toward anti-national activities. Officials describe this as a new type of threat, noting that Bhatti reportedly remains active and is waiting for security agencies to lower their guard before attempting fresh outreach.
