Maha ATS grills individuals in touch with Pak-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti
Mumbai, July 10 (IANS) In a coordinated, multi-city operation, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) questioned 102 individuals for their alleged contact over social media with Pakistan-based gangster-terrorist Shahzad Bhatti, who is plotting to use them as foot soldiers for anti-national activities, an official said on Friday.
Starting at 7 a.m., 58 teams from 14 ATS units swooped down on the premises of these individuals on the suspicion that they were being brainwashed by Bhatti and his associates Abid Jat alias Abid Chan, Aman Gujar, Thai Memon, Rana Hunen and Ashraf Babhir Alam, said a police statement.
Bhatti and his associates allegedly exploit religious and socially sensitive issues to brainwash the youth and incite them against the country, the police said.
The ATS searches targeted locations in Mumbai, Thane, Kurla, Bandra, Jogeshwari, Navi Mumbai, Mira Road, Bhayandar, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Satara and Sangli, said an official.
The police said that Bhatti and his associates are trying to lure unemployed and economically disadvantaged youth into this anti-national network and sleeper cells by offering them money.
The main objective of this network is to create agents locally, gather intelligence, smuggle drugs and supply illegal weapons, said the official.
The Maharashtra ATS operation on Friday followed a similar action by Delhi Police’s anti-terror Special Cell, which arrested six suspects in touch with Bhatti. The Delhi Police had recovered petrol bomb material from the accused.
Last month, the National Investigation Agency also conducted similar searches at 18 locations across Punjab and Haryana as part of its investigation into a terror-gangster network allegedly being operated by Bhatti.
The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Friday warned young people to stay away from temptations and offers to make a lot of money on social media, as these may be part of a larger conspiracy.
The police also appealed to the public not to believe or forward any rumours on social media that threaten law and order and the country’s integrity.
The ATS also appealed to citizens and parents of youth to closely monitor their children’s internet habits and social media activities and report any changes in behaviour.
The Maharashtra Police and the Anti-Terrorism Squad clarified that no anti-national element compromising the state’s peace and security will be spared.
–IANS
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