Maharashtra ATS raids 5 locations, probes international WhatsApp group with Pakistan links
Synopsis
Maharashtra ATS has raided five locations in two days over a suspicious international WhatsApp group with members from Pakistan and Gulf nations — and a suspected, unconfirmed link to Hizbul Mujahideen. The probe has already ensnared a schoolteacher in Ratnagiri, signalling investigators are casting a wide net even as hard evidence remains elusive.
Key Takeaways
Maharashtra ATS raided five locations across the state on 13 October 2026 , the second consecutive day of operations.
Investigators uncovered an international WhatsApp group with members from Pakistan and Gulf nations .
The ATS suspects a possible link to the banned outfit Hizbul Mujahideen , but no concrete evidence has been established yet.
Some group members are reportedly affiliated with religious organisations ; religious topics were discussed in the group.
A teacher from Rajapur, Ratnagiri district was questioned on 12 October and subsequently released.
Investigation is ongoing; identities of those questioned and locations raided have not been officially disclosed.
The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Tuesday, 13 October conducted raids at five locations across the state for the second consecutive day, as part of an ongoing investigation into a suspicious international WhatsApp group reportedly comprising members from Pakistan and several Gulf nations. Multiple individuals were questioned during the operation, according to officials.
What Investigators Found
According to officials, the ATS uncovered an international WhatsApp group whose membership spans several countries, including Pakistan and nations in the Gulf region. Investigators are examining the nature of discussions within the group and whether any of those conversations are linked to unlawful or subversive activities.
The agency has also established that some members of the group are reportedly associated with religious organisations, and that religious topics were among the subjects discussed. Officials are now assessing whether those conversations crossed into operationally sensitive territory.
Suspected Terror Link Under Scrutiny
The ATS suspects the WhatsApp group may have connections to the banned militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen. However, officials have been careful to note that no concrete evidence establishing such a link has emerged so far. The suspected connection remains under active investigation, with the agency working to identify all members of the group and map their interactions.
Teacher Questioned in Ratnagiri
On Monday, 12 October, the ATS questioned a teacher residing in Rajapur in Ratnagiri district for several hours in connection with the case. The individual was released after questioning. Officials said the teacher's association with the WhatsApp group brought them within the scope of the investigation, though no charges have been filed.
Investigation Ongoing
Authorities have not disclosed the specific locations raided on Tuesday or the identities of those questioned. The probe is continuing, with the ATS working to build a clearer picture of the group's membership, intent, and any potential operational activities. Further disclosures are expected as the investigation progresses.
Point of View
The investigation's scope — a WhatsApp group with religious discussions and members from Gulf nations — risks conflating routine transnational religious discourse with operational security threats, a conflation that has produced wrongful detentions in past Indian counter-terror probes. Second, the Hizbul Mujahideen angle, flagged publicly before any evidence has been established, sets a precedent that could taint the investigation before it concludes. Credible counter-terror work depends on separating suspicion from establishment of fact — and on ensuring the public narrative does not outrun the evidence.
NationPress
13 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Maharashtra ATS investigating in its WhatsApp group probe?
The Maharashtra ATS is investigating a suspicious international WhatsApp group whose members include individuals from Pakistan and Gulf nations. Authorities are examining whether the group's activities and discussions are linked to any militant outfit, specifically the banned Hizbul Mujahideen, though no concrete evidence of such a link has been found yet.
What is the suspected Hizbul Mujahideen connection?
The ATS suspects the WhatsApp group may have ties to Hizbul Mujahideen, a Pakistan-based militant organisation banned in India. However, officials have clarified that no concrete information or evidence establishing this connection has emerged so far, and the link remains under investigation.
Who was questioned in Ratnagiri and what happened?
A teacher residing in Rajapur in Ratnagiri district was questioned by the ATS for several hours on Monday, 12 October, in connection with the case. The teacher was released after questioning; no charges have been reported.
Why is the presence of religious organisation members significant?
According to officials, some WhatsApp group members are reportedly affiliated with religious organisations and religious topics were discussed in the group. The ATS is examining the nature of those conversations to determine whether they crossed into territory linked to suspicious or unlawful activity.
What happens next in the investigation?
The ATS is continuing to identify all members of the WhatsApp group and map their interactions. No official disclosures have been made about the specific locations raided or individuals detained on Tuesday. Further details are expected as the agency processes the evidence gathered during the raids.
