NIA Registers Case To Probe Online Radicalisation Of Indian Youths By Pak-Based Gangster

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has registered a case to investigate the alleged online radicalisation of Indian youths by Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti and other suspected Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) operatives, who allegedly sought to recruit them to carry out terror attacks in the country, officials said on Thursday.

The investigation stems from a case registered by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) in April this year. The FIR names eight accused, including Bhatti, who is allegedly associated with Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI.

Among the other accused named in the NIA case are alleged ISI agents Md Hamad Barkati, Abid Jatt, Major Hamid, Major Iqbal and Major Anwar, all based in Pakistan. Two Indian nationals, Tushar Chauhan alias Hijbullah Ali Khan, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, and Sameer, from Delhi, have also been named. Both were arrested by the UP ATS in April.

The UP ATS had been investigating the alleged creation of Pakistani sleeper cells through social media platforms. During the probe, investigators found that the two arrested men were allegedly in direct contact with Pakistani operatives and were planning a major disruptive activity.

According to Uttar Pradesh Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash, the investigation revealed that Bhatti, Jatt and radical Pakistani YouTubers were allegedly operating at the behest of the ISI to radicalise Indian youths and lure them with financial incentives.

The alleged network aimed to disturb internal peace and communal harmony in the country, he had said.

In September, the Centre declared the Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), citing its alleged involvement in terrorism and participation in various terror activities in India.

The NIA investigation is expected to examine the alleged recruitment network, its links with Pakistani operatives and plans to carry out terrorist activities in India.