Inside an ISI-backed Pak gang's Instagram trap targeting Indian youngsters

An India Today investigation has revealed how five Pakistan-based ISI operatives, led by gangster Shahzad Bhatti, are using Instagram Reels to brainwash and recruit Indian youngsters. Through money, religious inducements and promises of settling abroad, the network allegedly drew youngsters into terror activities, with around 700 people arrested so far.From (L-R) Abid Jatt, Ajmal Gujjar, Shehzad Bhatti, Hassan Gujjar, Rana HunainNew Delhi,Nov 5, 2026 17:13 ISTUnion Home Minister Amit Shah's two social media posts, first on August 17 and then on September 16, exposed the scale of a terror network being operated from Pakistan by gangster Shahzad Bhatti under the patronage of the ISI. While the first announcement revealed that a major terror attack planned around Independence Day had been foiled, the second declared Bhatti's network a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).But how did a Pakistani gangster and his network manage to build such a large operation in India? And how were youngsters being drawn into a terror conspiracy through Instagram Reels?An India Today investigation has revealed how five Pakistan-based operatives, allegedly acting at the behest of the ISI, used Instagram as a weapon to brainwash young Indians, build trust and recruit them for terrorist activities.The operatives allegedly approached youngsters through multiple Instagram accounts, gradually established contact with them and then lured them with money, promises of settling abroad or in Pakistan and religious inducements. The investigation identifies the five operatives as Shahzad Bhatti, Abid Jatt, Ajmal Gujjar, Rana Hussain and Hassan Gujjar. Most of the youngsters who allegedly fell prey to their network were between 18 and 25 years old.The scale of the operation is evident from the arrests made so far. Police forces in several states, working alongside central agencies, have arrested around 700 people linked to Bhatti and his network. More than 700 others were detained for questioning, counselled and subsequently released. The network allegedly carried out terrorist activities in several states, including Punjab, at the behest of the ISI. Targeted killings, a bomb blast at the BSF headquarters in Jalandhar and a petrol bomb attack on an RSS office in Jharkhand figure among the incidents linked to the network in the investigation.When intelligence agencies were alerted to the activities, the Union Home Ministry was informed about the terror network expanding through social media. Under the Home Ministry's supervision, central agencies launched a major operation in coordination with state police forces. While several people were arrested, many youngsters were also prevented from being drawn deeper into the network.INSTAGRAM AS A RECRUITMENT TOOLThe investigation revealed how the five Pakistan-based operatives allegedly used Instagram accounts and reels to approach young Indians. Rather than directly recruiting them for terrorist activities, they allegedly built credibility through social media content, established personal contact and gradually drew them into their network.The operatives allegedly used videos and messages to exploit religious sentiments, while offering money and promising to help youngsters settle abroad or in Pakistan.Two youngsters, one based in Delhi and another in Punjab, who came in contact with Bhatti, spoke to India Today about how they were approached, influenced and offered assignments.DELHI INFLUENCER OFFERED MONEY TO KILL RIGHT-WING ACTIVISTA Delhi-based youngster with around 3 lakh Instagram followers was allegedly given an assignment from Pakistan but was apprehended by agencies before he could carry it out.When questioned about his social media activities, the youngster told India Today that he made videos on Instagram and that his content was usually controversial. He said he would respond whenever someone insulted the Prophet, particularly someone from the Hindu community, and that he and others trolled people such as right-wing activist Abhishek Thakur.He said he first received a simple "Hi" message on Instagram from an account whose profile picture showed a man. The person introduced himself as Shahzad Bhatti and asked him for Abhishek Thakur's address.The youngster told India Today that he did not know much about Thakur and that he only picked up controversial topics to make videos. Bhatti then allegedly offered to pay him if he worked for him and killed Thakur.When asked whom Bhatti had asked him to kill, the youngster said he was offered money to kill the right-wing activist. Bhatti later asked him to come to Nepal, promising to arrange a fake passport and bring him there.He further told India Today that Bhatti offered to take him to Pakistan or Dubai and give him a large sum of money, which he could use to support his family. The youngster said his Instagram account was deleted after receiving a strike around a month later, following which an agency arrested him.Explaining the kind of content he made, the youngster said he posted videos related to Muslims, including incidents involving the demolition of mosques and insults to the Prophet.He admitted that he could not tolerate Abhishek Thakur allegedly insulting the Prophet but said what Bhatti had asked him to do was wrong."Shahzad Bhatti brainwashed me. We can make controversial videos, but we cannot even imagine going so far as killing someone," he told India Today.The youngster said Bhatti provoked them by questioning how they could tolerate insults against the Prophet and asking them to kill those responsible and come to him.Bhatti also allegedly claimed that he had other boys in Delhi and elsewhere and had brought several youngsters to Pakistan.Asked how he came in contact with Bhatti, the youngster said he came across his Instagram ID, which had around 20,000 to 30,000 followers. He initially did not know who Bhatti was and gradually started talking to him after watching a video uploaded on the account.The youngster also spoke about making a video on the Faiz-e-Ilahi mosque in Old Delhi, which was demolished following a court order. He admitted that he had made the video while he was in Shimla and later appeared before the police.He told India Today that agency officials informed him that he had been in contact with a Pakistani and that the person was the wrong person. That was when he realised he was betraying his own country.Expressing regret, he urged mothers and sisters to keep an eye on their children, particularly whom they speak to on social media, what path they are following and what they are doing.PUNJAB RECRUIT FELL FOR REELSA Punjab-based youngster told India Today that he first came across Bhatti through his Instagram Reels. Bhatti would claim that anyone needing help could contact him, and a phone number was provided through a link on his Instagram profile.The youngster said he obtained the number, contacted Bhatti through WhatsApp calling and sent him a message. Bhatti replied two or three days later.When asked what he needed, the youngster said he told Bhatti that he needed money and asked whether he had any work for him. Bhatti allegedly promised to pay him and said he had a task for him, asking him to wait for two or three days.Three days later, Bhatti sent him a WhatsApp voice recording that could be played only once. He allegedly told the youngster that some goods had to be transported from Delhi to Punjab and offered him Rs 60,000-70,000 for the task.The youngster initially agreed but later discussed the offer with his wife, who suspected that the person was a fraud. He said he nevertheless thought Bhatti could help them.He eventually refused the assignment and asked whether Bhatti had any other work for him. Their conversations continued through messages and a video call.During the call, Bhatti allegedly asked him about the situation in Punjab. When the youngster asked where he was from, Bhatti introduced himself as being from Pakistan and said he would help him if he worked for him.Asked what work he was subsequently offered, the youngster told India Today that Bhatti said a boy would come to meet him in Delhi. He was supposed to share his number and location, collect some goods from him and transport them to Punjab.The youngster said he refused again and asked Bhatti to suggest some other work because he needed money. Bhatti asked him to wait for another two or three days. While he was waiting, agency officials arrived and apprehended him.He said an agency officer told him that Bhatti trapped several youngsters and got them to carry out his tasks. Youngsters from Punjab and other parts of India fell into his trap and eventually ended up in jail.DONATIONS USED TO BUILD TRUSTWhen questioned about what had influenced him to follow Bhatti, the Punjab-based youngster told India Today that he had watched several of his Instagram videos.Bhatti allegedly claimed in his videos that he had donated large sums of money to mosques in India and a gurdwara. The youngster said Bhatti had claimed to have donated Rs 4 lakh and Rs 30 lakh, which prompted him to follow the account.He also recalled a video in which Bhatti claimed he would avenge the murder of Sidhu Moosewala by killing his assassins, even if he had to sacrifice his own life.The youngster said he liked the video because he believed Bhatti was speaking the truth and would avenge the singer's murder.He later watched Reels in which Bhatti allegedly claimed responsibility for attacks in Punjab and orchestrating bomb blasts. The youngster also recalled seeing a news report about an incident in Jalandhar.Urging youngsters in Punjab and across India not to fall into Bhatti's trap, he said the network was ruining their lives by luring them into carrying out assignments and eventually leaving them to rot in jail.RANA'S PAKISTAN CONNECTIONThe scale of the alleged Pakistan-based operation also finds a mention in the account of Uttar Pradesh Additional Director General (ADG) of the Special Task Force (STF) and ADG of Law & Order for Amitabh Yash.Two days before his statement, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) revealed that it had arrested members of a banned terrorist organisation who were allegedly planning targeted killings of police and Army personnel.According to Amitabh Yash, the operation was being run from Pakistan by an operative identified as Rana.- Ends