1 week ago
Delhi Police Targets Shehzad Bhatti’s Instagram Recruitment Network
Delhi Police is trying to stop Shehzad Bhatti from using Instagram to find recruits.
Police say he contacted young and unemployed men through profiles and private chats.
They believe some recruits were asked to help with crimes.
Police sent more than 100 requests to Meta to remove linked accounts.
Some accounts were blocked in India after legal requests.
The police say Bhatti’s network includes people from many backgrounds.
More than 200 people linked to the network were reportedly arrested or detained in a major operation.
Officials have proposed naming Bhatti a terrorist.
Police say people still contact him online by using VPNs.
Delhi Police sent more than 100 takedown requests to Meta in 10 months.
Police say Shehzad Bhatti used Instagram to recruit young men for criminal activities.
Several profiles reportedly used Bhatti’s name, including accounts containing “333” in usernames.
The crackdown followed arrests of associates linked to arms trading and alleged terror planning.
Police say Bhatti continues communicating with associates and potential recruits through VPNs.
- Who
- Delhi Police, Shehzad Bhatti and associates linked to his alleged network.
- What
- Delhi Police sent more than 100 Meta takedown requests targeting Instagram profiles linked to Bhatti.
- Where
- The activity involved Instagram users in India, with cases connected to north India and alleged operations across the country.
- When
- The crackdown began in October 2025, with more than 100 requests sent during the following 10 months; a major operation was reported on 12 August.
- Why
- Police say the requests aim to disrupt Bhatti’s alleged recruitment, communications and directions for criminal activities.
Key facts
- Takedown requests
- More than 100 requests were sent to Meta during the past 10 months.
- Crackdown start
- Delhi Police’s Special Cell began its crackdown in October 2025.
- Targeted profiles
- Several accounts reportedly used Bhatti’s name and included “333” in their usernames.
- Reported operation
- Security agencies reportedly arrested more than 200 operatives linked to the network on 12 August.
- Detentions cited
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah said raids led to 253 detentions across 14 states.
- Recruitment claims
- Police allege recruits were offered between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000 for tasks.
- Platform cooperation
- Some Instagram accounts displayed messages saying content was restricted in India following a legal request.
Quotes
A senior Delhi Police officer
Delhi Police officer familiar with the investigation
“Despite continuously tracking his activities online, and taking down his profiles in India, several users – either associates or yet to be hired men continue to engage with him by using VPN.”
theprint.in
“On prolonged interrogation of Bhatti’s associates who were arrested between October and November ‘25, we had identified a few social media profiles through which they had communicated.”
theprint.in
Sources
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