Published : 21 Aug 2026, 05:09 AM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:34 AM
More than 250 people have been arrested across 14 Indian states over alleged links to Pakistan-based gangster-turned-terror handler Shahzad Bhatti, according to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
An NDTV Datafy analysis found that Bhatti has built a large social media network across Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, WhatsApp and YouTube, with more than two dozen accounts using his name and more than 10 million followers.
His network relies heavily on young video editors, many reportedly based in Pakistan, who repackage old videos of Bhatti and circulate them with popular Punjabi songs and Bollywood or OTT dialogues.
Bhatti portrays himself as a Robin Hood-style gangster who helps the poor, protects his supporters and defends Islam, according to NDTV.
His videos show him with big cats, luxury cars and firearms, as well as travelling abroad and attending high-profile events.
The analysis found that his posts frequently use India-related hashtags and appear aimed at Indian audiences, the Indian broadcaster said.
Bhatti also posts about developments in India and has targeted Indian Muslim youth with provocative content.
After the Aug 12 arrests, he created a new Instagram account and told supporters in India not to follow, like or comment on it to avoid detection, instead asking them to contact him directly, the report said.
NDTV said Bhatti has been linked to several criminal cases, including allegations that he helped the killer of Maharashtra politician Baba Siddique flee India and directed a grenade attack on a police station in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district.
He is believed to operate his network from Dubai.
