10 July,2026 11:52 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Representational Image
The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Friday conducted searches at multiple locations across the state as part of an investigation into the alleged social media links of several individuals with Pakistan-based alleged ISI handler Shahzad Bhatti, officials said.
According to the ATS, search operations were carried out in Mumbai, Thane, Kurla, Bandra, Jogeshwari, Navi Mumbai, Mira Road, Bhayandar, Sangli, Satara and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, among other locations.
Officials said the action was initiated against individuals who allegedly remained in contact with Bhatti through social media platforms.
The Maharashtra ATS launched a coordinated operation involving teams from all 14 units across the state. Officials said 112 people allegedly linked to Bhatti were questioned as part of the ongoing investigation.
According to preliminary information, investigators suspect that Bhatti allegedly used social media platforms to influence youths and involve them in activities against national security.
ATS officials said the identified individuals were being questioned to determine the nature of their communication and possible links with the Pakistan-based network.
Further details regarding the outcome of the searches and questioning are awaited.
The Maharashtra ATS action comes after the Delhi Police Special Cell on Wednesday busted two alleged modules linked to Shahzad Bhatti and arrested six suspected operatives from Delhi and Punjab.
The interrogation of the accused revealed an alleged conspiracy to carry out petrol bomb attacks at important locations in the national capital on Bhatti's instructions.
Investigators said the accused had allegedly conducted reconnaissance of New Police Lines in Civil Lines, Anand Vihar Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT), a railway station and crowded market areas in Delhi.
Videos of these locations were allegedly found on their mobile phones and were shared with Bhatti through a banned messaging application, officials said.
Sources said social media chats recovered during the probe showed Bhatti allegedly instructing one of the accused, Danish alias Chand Miyan, about the delivery and storage of "material", which investigators suspect referred to petrol bombs meant for the planned attacks.
The Delhi Police Special Cell had earlier recovered petrol bombs from Vijay Ghat, behind Rajghat, during the investigation.
Investigators said the six arrested accused were also allegedly in contact with 10 other Pakistan-based individuals believed to be working for Bhatti.
According to investigators, Danish alias Chand Miyan was allegedly assigned the task of conducting reconnaissance and planning attacks in Delhi and was promised Rs 20,000 after carrying out the operation. His associate Salman was allegedly responsible for recording the attack and sending the footage to Bhatti.
Officials said another accused, Tayyab, allegedly handled the receipt and sale of a weapons consignment, while Zubair Khan allegedly transported the consignment from Amritsar.
Investigators further alleged that Ali Fazal was responsible for selling the weapons, while Malkit Singh acted as a key link in supplying weapons dropped from Pakistan through drones before they were distributed to other members of the network.
