Uttar Pradesh Police has intensified its crackdown on the Shahzad Bhatti network which operates on the directions of the Pakistani intelligence agency
ISI. According to UP Police, the network approaches young people with offers of money and employment and subsequently involves them in terror-related activities. The network of Pakistani gangster Shahzad Bhatti operates on the directions of Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI, and Bhatti is recruiting youth in India. Apart from Shahzad Bhatti, the police has identified several other active members associated with the network. They include Abid Jatt, Hamad Menon alias Hamad Barkati, Javed Pakistani, Raja Bhai Pakistani, Ajmal Gujjar Pakistani, Rashid Bhatti, Rana Hunaid, Major Iqbal, Major Hamid and Major Anwar. ADG Law and Order Amitabh Yash said that the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI is directing gangster Shahzad Bhatti to recruit and radicalise youths in India. The network is targeting youths in UP and other parts of the country by offering them financial incentives and employment. ADG Yash further said that through money and employment, they are radicalising and recruiting youth in India to target ex-Muslims, Hindu religious leaders and political leaders and police personnel as well. According to the UP Police, recruits are first assigned smaller tasks before being pushed towards more serious terror activities. The network also tried to target the offices of BJP and RSS. ADG Yash said these initial assignments include issuing threats, arson, putting up jihadi posters and throwing petrol bombs. The police also said that after carrying out such activities, the recruits are subsequently encouraged to undertake bigger terror-related operations. The UP Police, along with its specialised units ATS and STF, has carried out multiple operations against the network based on intelligence inputs developed by the state police and information received from central agencies. Around 175 suspects linked to the network were examined during the operation, following which cases were registered and further legal action initiated. According to the UP Police, 12 cases have so far been registered and 52 accused have been arrested in connection with the network. UP Police has also recovered pistols, live cartridges, inflammable materials and objectionable items from the possession of the arrested accused.
