Archive · 20 Aug 2026
How Shahzad Bhatti Built an Online Terror Network
Indian authorities say Shahzad Bhatti used social media to build a network connected to terrorism.
They arrested more than 250 people in 14 states over alleged links to him.
Bhatti’s pages show fancy cars, weapons, animals and popular music.
These posts make him look powerful, generous and protective.
Young editors in Pakistan reportedly copy and repost his videos.
The posts use Indian hashtags and cultural references to attract people in India.
Some young followers have allegedly offered to commit crimes for him.
Authorities have blocked some accounts, but new ones continue to appear.
Bhatti has also told supporters to use private messages so agencies cannot easily track them.
Indian agencies arrested more than 250 people in 14 states over alleged links to Pakistan-based handler Shahzad Bhatti, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said.
NDTV Datafy identified more than two dozen accounts using Bhatti’s name, with combined followings exceeding one crore across major social-media platforms.
Young Pakistan-based video editors allegedly recycle Bhatti’s old footage, using Indian hashtags, Punjabi music and Bollywood or streaming-series dialogues to reach Indian audiences.
Bhatti presents himself as a Robin Hood-style gangster who protects supporters, helps poor people and defends Muslims, while displaying wealth, weapons and a glamorous lifestyle.
Indian agencies have blocked some accounts, but Bhatti allegedly responds by creating replacements and urging supporters to communicate privately to avoid detection.
- Who
- Indian agencies, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and alleged Pakistan-based terror handler Shahzad Bhatti, along with his online supporters and editors.
- What
- Authorities arrested more than 250 people over alleged links to Bhatti, whom NDTV Datafy says built a social-media recruitment network targeting Indian youth.
- When
- The arrests were reported as occurring on August 12; some accounts were abandoned in mid-2025 and July of that year.
- Where
- The alleged network targeted India, with arrests across 14 Indian states, while Bhatti’s network reportedly operates from Dubai and uses Pakistan-based editors.
- Why
- Authorities allege that Bhatti used online videos and private communications to recruit or influence young Indians toward criminal and terrorist activities.
Indian Agencies’ Allegations
Bhatti’s Online Persona
Purpose of the network
Indian Agencies’ Allegations
Indian agencies and NDTV Datafy describe the network as a recruitment and influence operation targeting Indian youth for criminal or terrorist activities.
Bhatti’s Online Persona
Bhatti’s public persona presents him as a protective elder brother and benefactor who helps supporters and poor people.
Online tactics
Indian Agencies’ Allegations
Authorities allege that supporters use numerous replacement accounts, coordinated reposting and private messages to evade monitoring and continue recruitment.
Bhatti’s Online Persona
Bhatti publicly thanks volunteer editors for promoting his videos and, after arrests, advised supporters to avoid likes, comments and follows to reduce tracking risks.
Public image
Indian Agencies’ Allegations
Investigators and the report portray displays of cars, weapons, animals and religiously charged messages as tools for attracting vulnerable young people and deepening divisions.
Bhatti’s Online Persona
His supporters’ content portrays him as a successful, generous and influential gangster who defends Muslims without insulting other religions.
- Arrests
- More than 250 people were arrested across 14 states on August 12, according to Amit Shah.
- Social-media reach
- More than two dozen accounts and pages using Bhatti’s name had a combined following of more than one crore, according to NDTV Datafy’s scan.
- Platforms
- The network spans Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, WhatsApp and YouTube.
- Network identifiers
- Accounts use terms including “333” and “software update”; “333” is associated with Bhatti’s former boss Farrukh Khokhar.
- Content strategy
- Young video editors in Pakistan reportedly repackage old Bhatti footage with Punjabi songs, Bollywood dialogues and Indian hashtags.
- Account disruption
- Several accounts were reportedly blocked in India, including three Instagram pages with a combined following of nearly 3.5 lakh.
- Alleged criminal links
- Bhatti has been linked to allegations involving the escape of Baba Siddique’s killer and a grenade attack on a police station in Gurdaspur.