Who is Shahzad Bhatti Mentioned by Amit Shah?

Union Home Minister Amit Shah made a major announcement stating that the security forces have dismantled an ISI-supported terror network operated by Shahzad Bhatti. He revealed that over 200 members of this group were arrested just before Independence Day, sparking widespread interest in Shahzad Bhatti’s identity.

• Background & Crime: Originally from Pakistan’s Punjab province, Shahzad Bhatti entered the crime world through extortion and gained significant notoriety in Lahore’s underworld. Pakistani police registered several cases against him in 2013, after which he shifted his base to the UAE, promoting himself as a businessman dealing in scrap and other ventures.
• Social Media Presence: As his influence grew, he gained fame on social media by regularly sharing controversial posts on religious and nationalist topics. He was known to claim ties with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, though these links deteriorated following the Pahalgam terror attack.
• Threats & Attacks: Bhatti issued threats to senior BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty and various influencers. Investigative agencies intensified their focus on him after a grenade attack outside influencer Roger Sandhu’s residence in Jalandhar, Punjab, in March 2024. He maintains strong links with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and faces multiple criminal charges in India.
• Nationwide Crackdown: Last month, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) questioned 112 individuals suspected of links with Bhatti. The ATS stated that his network attempted to radicalize and lure youth into anti-national activities using social media platforms.

In a massive nationwide crackdown spanning 14 states, security forces targeted this Pakistan-based, ISI-backed network, detaining 253 people and arresting over 200 gang members. To date, more than 80 FIRs have been registered against the network. During the raids, authorities seized IEDs, hand grenades stamped by the Pakistan Ordnance Factories, pistols, live ammunition, and CCTV cameras used for espionage.