UP emerges as key target in Pak-linked digital radicalisation, sleeper-cell network probe
Uttar Pradesh has become a focal point in Pakistan's digital radicalisation and sleeper-cell recruitment efforts. Security agencies have identified a network allegedly run by gangster Shahzad Bhatti, utilizing social media to target vulnerable youth. Recent investigations have led to significant arrests and highlight the challenges posed by decentralized and civilian-embedded modules in detecting these threats.
- ▪Uttar Pradesh's large youth population and smartphone access make it vulnerable to radicalisation.
- ▪Gangster Shahzad Bhatti is accused of using social media to recruit and influence young Indians.
- ▪Recent coordinated crackdowns resulted in the detention of around 300 suspects across multiple states.
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| Original publisher | Hindustan Times — Top |
| Canonical URL | https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/up-emerges-as-key-target-in-pak-linked-digital-radicalisation-sleeper-cell-network-probe-101779074737549.html |
| Publication time | Mon, 18 May 2026 09:46:09 +0530 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-18T04:24:54.380Z |
| Last seen | 2026-05-18T04:24:54.380Z |
| Headline source | Publisher (no WeSearch rewrite) |
| Excerpt source | publisher body |
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| Summary | WeSearch · cerebras-chat (WeSearch summarizer) |
| Summary source text | contentText |
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| Cluster | UHSku8bOPhUr |
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| Ranking reason | Story pages are not engagement-ranked. Hub feeds use recency, with optional source-diversified chronological ordering (cap consecutive stories per source). No personalized ranking. |
| Publisher visit | Yes — open original |
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UP emerges as key target in Pak-linked digital radicalisation, sleeper-cell network probeUP has become increasingly vulnerable because of its large youth population, widespread smartphone access and the rapid spread of social media networks.Updated on: May 18, 2026 9:46 AM ISTBy Rohit Kumar SinghShare viaCopy link Uttar Pradesh has emerged as a major target in Pakistan’s evolving digital radicalisation and sleeper-cell recruitment strategy, with recent ATS arrests and multi-district investigations exposing an expanding network allegedly operated through social media by Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti and handlers linked to Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), senior central and state security agencies said.Representational Image (AI)Security agencies say the network reflects a…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Hindustan Times — Top.