3 weeks ago
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The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has interrogated 57 persons crossed the State arsenic portion of an cognition against networks allegedly linked to Pakistan-based gangsters, including the Shahzad Bhatti pack and the Dogra gang. Officials said the absorption is connected identifying sleeper cells, section operatives, and enactment systems that whitethorn facilitate arms smuggling oregon conspiracies.
The cognition began astatine astir 8 a.m. connected Wednesday (May 13, 2026). ATS teams conducted searches successful Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nalasopara, Mira Road, Akola, Nanded, Nashik, and Jalgaon.
Officials said the ATS plans to question persons who are allegedly successful interaction with these gangsters done societal media platforms oregon are considered followers oregon sympathisers of the networks. Intelligence inputs received implicit a play of clip indicated that gangsters operating from crossed the borderline were utilizing societal media to enlistee youths from Maharashtra, officials added.
According to officials, these groups targeted section youths with promises of fiscal gains and a manner of comfort. The purpose was to grow their power crossed the State.
ATS teams seized laptops, mobile phones, pen drives, and different physics devices from locations linked to suspects. Investigators are examining slope accounts and fiscal transactions to find if funds were routed from Pakistan oregon different overseas locations done hawala channels.
Digital grounds recovered during the searches is being analysed to found the grade of the web and place further persons who whitethorn person been successful interaction with the gangsters.
The ATS has not disclosed the fig of persons detained. Further probe into interstate oregon planetary links of the suspected web is underway.
The sanction of Bhatti, a Lahore-based gangster, has surfaced successful investigations related to panic recruitment, radicalisation, and espionage activities successful India implicit the past respective months. More than a twelve cases person been registered against him by assorted agencies, officials said.
According to investigating agencies, Bhatti has been operating retired of Dubai portion travelling betwixt Pakistan, the UAE, and different countries successful the Middle East. Indian agencies are present moving to unafraid his extradition.
(Bureau transcript with PTI inputs)
