Mumbai's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested 20-year-old Yash Singh, a resident of Airoli, Navi Mumbai, for allegedly conducting surveillance on sensitive locations across the city — including the Chabad House (Nariman House) in Colaba — and sharing photographs and location details with anti-national operatives via social media. The arrest, made on 15 November 2026, follows a confidential tip received by the ATS Navi Mumbai unit and marks a significant counter-intelligence operation targeting what officials describe as a foreign-linked recruitment network.

What Singh Allegedly Did

According to officials, Singh had been assigned by anti-national actors and mafia-linked social media handles to photograph and document the Chabad House/Synagogue in Colaba, companies owned by Jewish citizens, foreign or Jewish nationals and their vehicles, and surrounding strategic locations. He allegedly transmitted this reconnaissance material through Telegram to handlers he had contacted via social media platforms, and reportedly received financial payments in return for the information.

The Chabad House carries particular historical weight — it was one of the primary targets during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks of 2008, making any surveillance of the site a matter of heightened national security concern.

Kerala UAPA Link Surfaces

Investigators uncovered a critical cross-state connection during the probe. Singh was found to be linked as an associate in Crime No. 994/2025, registered at Thrissur East Police Station, Kerala, under Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967. The ATS promptly shared its findings with Thrissur police, following which a Kerala Police team arrived in Navi Mumbai, questioned Singh, confirmed his direct involvement in that case, and subsequently arrested him in connection with the Kerala investigation.

The Shahzad Bhatti Network and Social Media Recruitment

The ATS has flagged a broader threat pattern underlying this arrest. According to the agency, several international criminal syndicates and anti-national elements — including the Shahzad Bhatti network, described as a Pakistani handler operation — are systematically using platforms such as Telegram, Instagram, and WhatsApp to identify and recruit unemployed, financially distressed youth. Officials say these operatives lure targets with money before tasking them with anti-national and sabotage-related activities. This case, investigators note, is representative of a growing trend of low-cost, high-risk human intelligence gathering via social media.

ATS Warning to Citizens

The ATS has issued a public advisory urging citizens — particularly parents and young people — not to interact with unknown individuals on social media or accept financial offers from unfamiliar handles. The agency has specifically cautioned against sharing photographs, reconnaissance details, or information about sensitive locations with anyone. The ATS added that it is actively identifying and taking action against individuals drawn into such networks, and that further investigations are ongoing.

With the UAPA case in Kerala under active inquiry and the Mumbai reconnaissance probe continuing, authorities are expected to pursue additional leads that could expose wider elements of the alleged network.