New Delhi, November 6, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Indian security agencies have arrested around 700 people suspected of links with proscribed terrorist Shahzad Bhatti, dismantling a major part of his network and foiling alleged plans involving targeted killings, surveillance at crowded locations, drug trafficking and circulation of counterfeit currency, officials said.
However, intelligence agencies have warned that the network is attempting to rebuild its presence in India by changing its recruitment strategy, placing greater emphasis on religious identity and sentiments.
According to officials, the initial recruitment drive was largely driven by financial incentives rather than religion. Young people from different communities were allegedly offered payments as low as Rs 5,000 for carrying out assignments. Handlers also reportedly used photographs of Bhatti and his associates posing with luxury cars and properties to lure recruits with promises of an affluent lifestyle.
Officials said those promises were merely bait and that recruits were not expected to receive the lifestyle benefits they had been shown.
An Intelligence Bureau official said the network’s latest strategy combines religious messaging with money and promises of a better life abroad. Recruits are allegedly being offered between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000 and promised opportunities in Dubai, Pakistan or Nepal.
Investigators have also found that fake passports were allegedly prepared for some recruits to help them flee India after carrying out major attacks.
The challenge has extended to the digital space. More than 100 requests have reportedly been sent to Meta to remove Instagram profiles linked to the network, but officials said over 50 fresh accounts had appeared as others were taken down.
Bhatti, who was declared a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), was shifted to Pakistan following the initial crackdown, according to intelligence officials. He has reportedly travelled to Dubai and Portugal in recent months but continues to oversee the network and plan fresh operations.
Police have linked the module to attacks targeting personnel in Punjab, the blast outside the Border Security Force (BSF) headquarters in Jalandhar and a petrol bomb attack on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters in Jharkhand.
Officials said the network’s alleged operational plans now extend beyond surveillance installations, drug trafficking and counterfeit currency. Instagram is reportedly being used for recruitment, radicalisation and anti-India messaging, while encrypted platforms such as Telegram are being used for planning and coordinating operations.
Security agencies are continuing efforts to identify remaining operatives and prevent the network from regaining a foothold in India.
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