ATS raids in Pune against network of Pakistani gangster Shahzad Bhatti, who threatened Hindu leader Sagar Beg; all you need to know
It is important to note that raids come a day after a Hindu leader based in Maharashtra, Sagar Beg, was reportedly targeted for assassination by a Pakistan-linked terror-gangster network, with threats, surveillance, and an alleged "kill order" now on record.
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The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Tuesday, July 14, carried out coordinated raids in Pune and neighbouring Pimpri-Chinchwad as part of an investigation into alleged links with Pakistani gangster Shahzad Bhatti, who is suspected of running a recruitment network targeting Indian youth.
According to the Maharashtra ATS, Bhatti and his associates allegedly used social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Telegram and WhatsApp, to contact and recruit young people. An ATS official said search operations and questioning of suspects were continuing as part of the investigation. The agency has not yet disclosed the number of locations searched or the identities of those being questioned. The operation remained underway at the time of filing, with more details expected from the ATS.
An Intelligence Bureau official said the alleged ISI-backed network avoids nationwide recruitment drives and instead targets youth in one state at a time. “They are not indulging in pan-India recruitments. They are targeting youth from one state at a time, and this helps them evade the security agencies,” the official said.
This also comes a couple of days after the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Friday, July 11, questioned 112 people across the state as part of a coordinated operation probing their alleged links with Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti, officials said.
Teams from all 14 ATS units simultaneously carried out the operation on Friday morning, during which the identified individuals were questioned to verify the nature of their alleged association with Bhatti and gather further evidence, an ATS official said. Bhatti, as per the ATS, is suspected of using social media platforms to allegedly influence youths towards anti-national activities, the official said. The investigation is underway, and further details are awaited, even in the given case.
The searches are part of an ongoing probe into individuals believed to be connected to Bhatti’s alleged network. Several ATS teams fanned out across different locations in Maharashtra, and some suspected persons have been taken into custody for questioning, officials said.
According to the Maharashtra ATS, Bhatti and his associates allegedly used social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Telegram and WhatsApp, to contact and recruit young people. An ATS official said search operations and questioning of suspects were continuing as part of the investigation. The agency has not yet disclosed the number of locations searched or the identities of those being questioned. The operation remained underway at the time of filing, with more details expected from the ATS.
According to intelligence inputs, Bhatti has emerged as an alleged operative working for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to carry out a recruitment campaign in India aimed at fuelling terrorism. Officials believe the network has been active for several months. Intelligence agencies also allege that Bhatti changes the geographical focus of his recruitment efforts to avoid detection. His alleged network had earlier concentrated on Uttar Pradesh before shifting its activities to Maharashtra after security agencies began tracking its operations.
#BREAKING: The ATS has launched a major crackdown on a suspected network linked to Pakistani gangster Shahzad Bhatti, conducting raids in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Several suspects have been detained for questioning. According to officials, Bhatti and his associates allegedly… pic.twitter.com/QTo4kKpVLc
— IANS (@ians_india) July 14, 2026
An Intelligence Bureau official said the alleged ISI-backed network avoids nationwide recruitment drives and instead targets youth in one state at a time. “They are not indulging in pan-India recruitments. They are targeting youth from one state at a time, and this helps them evade the security agencies,” the official said.
It is important to note that raids come a day after a Hindu leader based in Maharashtra, Sagar Beg, was reportedly targeted for assassination by a Pakistan-linked terror-gangster network, with threats, surveillance, and an alleged "kill order" now on record. As reported earlier, the Pakistani terrorist gangsters involved in the incident have been identified as Hamman Memon and Anqareeb Rana, and also Abid Jatt and Shahzad Bhatti.
Bhatti's brother, Hammad Memon, issued a video threat to Beg, saying, "He (Sagar Beg) got Haji sahab killed, and now he thinks we'll not take revenge? Beg is torturing Muslims in India, and we can't unsee it. The revenge against Haji Sahab's death will be taken by Rana. Beg is on my radar, and I'll kill him anytime soon." Memon was referring to Aslam alias Bunty Jahagirdar, an accused in the Pune German Bakery blast case, when he said 'Haji Sahab'.
🚨 MEGA EXCLUSIVE — STRONG LANGUAGE — WEAR HEADPHONES!
— Treeni (@treeni) July 13, 2026
A Hindu leader in Maharashtra has been marked for assassination by a Pakistan-based terror-gangster syndicate.
His home has been photographed. The recce is complete. And the kill order has been declared — on record.
"Ye… pic.twitter.com/mPv9a2Juch
This also comes a couple of days after the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Friday, July 11, questioned 112 people across the state as part of a coordinated operation probing their alleged links with Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti, officials said.
Teams from all 14 ATS units simultaneously carried out the operation on Friday morning, during which the identified individuals were questioned to verify the nature of their alleged association with Bhatti and gather further evidence, an ATS official said. Bhatti, as per the ATS, is suspected of using social media platforms to allegedly influence youths towards anti-national activities, the official said. The investigation is underway, and further details are awaited, even in the given case.