Pak gangster lured youths through social media, says Maharashtra ATS; 112 persons questioned

Mumbai, Jul 10 (PTI) The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), which is questioning 112 persons allegedly linked to Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti, on Friday said that he and his associates used social media platforms to brainwash and recruit youngsters. Teams from 14 units of the counter-terror agency launched a coordinated multi-city operation earlier in the day, rounding up 112 suspects for interrogation, officials said. As per a preliminary probe, Bhatti, along with his alleged associates, Abid Jaat alias Abid Chal, Ajmal Gujar, Mohammad Memon, Rana Hussain, Ashraf Basheer Alam and others, attempted to establish a network among youngsters through social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Telegram and WhatsApp, they said. The accused allegedly circulated provocative religious content to influence youths, particularly those who were unemployed, and lured them with promises of financial assistance in an attempt to involve them in activities such as information gathering, drugs and arms smuggling, an official said. Bhatti is suspected of using social media platforms to radicalise and influence youths towards anti-national activities, he said. The ATS is questioning the identified individuals to verify the nature of their alleged links with the Pakistani gangster and gather further evidence in connection with the probe, the official said. The probe agency, in a statement, also appealed to youngsters and parents to remain vigilant and avoid contact with unidentified persons, especially on social media platforms. Parents should closely monitor their children's online activities and social media use, while youths should not be lured by financial inducements or pay heed to rumours, it stated. PTI ZA NR ARU