The agency registered a case to investigate alleged efforts by Shahzad Bhatti and ISI agents to recruit youths for terror attacks.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) registered a case on Thursday to probe the alleged online radicalisation of Indian youths by Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti and other Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agents. According to reports from The Hindu, The Economic Times and Outlook, the probe aims to investigate attempts to carry out terror attacks in India.
The First Information Report (FIR) names eight accused, including Bhatti, whom the agency identified as an ISI agent based in Pakistan. Other accused named in the FIR include ISI agents Md Hamad Barkati, Abid Jatt, Major Hamid, and Major Iqbal, as well as Major Anwar, who is based in Pakistan.
The case stems from an investigation by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) in April this year into suspected Pakistani sleeper cells created through social media. The NIA also named Tushar Chauhan, also known as Hijbullah Ali Khan, and Sameer as accused. Chauhan is a resident of Uttar Pradesh and Sameer is from Delhi; both were arrested by the UP ATS in April.
Investigators allege that Bhatti, Jatt, and radical Pakistani YouTubers were acting on ISI instructions to radicalise Indian youths using financial incentives. Uttar Pradesh Additional Director General of Police Amitabh Yash said the effort was intended to disturb internal peace and communal harmony.
In September, the Central Government declared the Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The Centre stated the group was involved in terrorism and had participated in various acts of terrorism in India.
