New Delhi, Nov. 12: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has registered a case to investigate the alleged online radicalisation of Indian youths by Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti and other ISI agents.
Officials said the accused allegedly sought to recruit youths to carry out terror attacks and disturb communal harmony in India.
The investigation follows a case registered by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in April this year. The original FIR named eight accused, including Bhatti, an alleged Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agent based in Pakistan.
NIA Probe Targets Shahzad Bhatti Network
The Centre declared the Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in September. The government cited the network’s alleged involvement in terrorist activities in India.
Other accused named in the NIA case include ISI agents Md Hamad Barkati, Abid Jatt, Major Hamid, Major Iqbal and Major Anwar, who is based in Pakistan.
The agency also named Tushar Chauhan alias Hijbullah Ali Khan, from Uttar Pradesh, and Sameer, from Delhi. The UP ATS arrested both men in April.
The Uttar Pradesh ATS had been investigating alleged Pakistani sleeper cells operating through social media. Investigators found that the two arrested men were allegedly in direct contact with Pakistani operatives and planning a major disruptive act.
During the probe, officials found that Bhatti, Jatt and radical Pakistani YouTubers were allegedly attempting to radicalise Indian youths. They reportedly offered financial incentives to recruit them and disturb internal peace.
Uttar Pradesh Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash said the activities were allegedly carried out on the instructions of the ISI.
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