Uttar Pradesh Targeted in Pakistan-Linked Digital Radicalization and Sleeper Cell Network Investigation
UP emerges as key target in Pak-linked digital radicalisation, sleeper-cell network probe
Image: Hindustan Times
Uttar Pradesh, India, has become a focal point for Pakistan's digital radicalization and sleeper-cell recruitment strategies, as revealed by recent arrests and investigations by security agencies. The network, allegedly managed by gangster Shahzad Bhatti, utilizes social media to target vulnerable youth, merging online radicalization with organized crime and espionage.
- 01Around 300 suspects were detained during a coordinated crackdown across multiple Indian states, including Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.
- 02Gangster Shahzad Bhatti allegedly used social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube to recruit and indoctrinate vulnerable youths.
- 03Recent arrests included two young men from Uttar Pradesh and Delhi who were reportedly undergoing online radicalization.
- 04The UP director general of police highlighted a new 'hybrid threat' model combining social media radicalization with criminal activities.
- 05Investigators are mapping digital footprints and financial transactions to uncover the extent of the ISI-backed network.
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Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a significant target in Pakistan's evolving strategy for digital radicalization and sleeper-cell recruitment. Recent investigations by security agencies, including the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), have uncovered a network allegedly operated by gangster Shahzad Bhatti and linked to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). This network employs social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube to attract vulnerable youths, particularly in northern India, by showcasing a glamorous lifestyle designed to lure them into extremist ideologies. Following a series of coordinated raids across Uttar Pradesh and neighboring states, approximately 300 suspects were detained for questioning. The arrests included two young men, Hizbullah Ali Khan and Sameer Khan, who were reportedly in the early stages of online indoctrination. UP police officials noted a concerning shift towards a 'hybrid threat' model, where online radicalization is intertwined with organized crime and espionage, making detection increasingly difficult. Investigators are now focused on mapping the digital and financial trails of this ISI-backed ecosystem, which poses a significant threat to national security.
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The investigation highlights the growing threat of digital radicalization in Uttar Pradesh, which could lead to increased security measures and community awareness programs aimed at preventing youth from being drawn into extremist networks.
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