ISI's dangerous plan to lure Indian youth into terrorist activities via Instagram

Serious allegations have emerged that the Instagram social media platform is being used as a new weapon of terrorism at the behest of the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI. According to an exclusive report by Aaj Tak and India Today, a well-organized conspiracy is being hatched by certain individuals seated in Pakistan to involve Indian youth in terrorist activities. This network is specifically targeting youth in the age group of 18 to 25 years.

In this dangerous process, youths making Reels on Instagram are first followed, and subsequently, communication is initiated with them. Investigations have revealed that after establishing contact through social media, the youth are brainwashed and gradually prepared for various terrorist activities. In this manner, the youth are being trapped in their web.

Incidents such as target killings in Punjab, a bomb blast at the BSF headquarters in Jalandhar, and a petrol bomb attack on an RSS office in Jharkhand have surfaced. It is believed that a network seated in Pakistan played a role behind all these incidents, and investigative agencies are investigating how Indian youth were linked in this manner through social media.

In this entire matter, the date of 17 August is extremely important. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had provided information on social media that a major terrorist attack conspiracy in India on the occasion of Independence Day, 15 August, was foiled. According to Amit Shah, multiple agencies simultaneously conducted operations against the ISI and Shahzad Bhatti's network across 14 states of the country. More than 200 people were arrested in this campaign. Following this action, the investigation into the Pakistan-operated network and its Indian contacts was intensified.

Subsequently, on 16 September, Home Minister Amit Shah made another major disclosure via social media. He stated that the Central Government has included Shahzad Bhatti's network in the list of terrorist organisations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, i.e., UAPA. Following this step, questions have arisen as to how a gangster seated in Pakistan could build such a large network in India and how youth were being prepared for terrorist activities through social media.

According to investigation-related inputs, besides Shahzad Bhatti seated in Pakistan, the names of Abid Jatt, Ajmal Gurjar, Rana Hussain, and Hasan Gurjar have emerged. It is alleged that all five individuals were contacting Indian youth through various Instagram accounts at the behest of the ISI. Initially, the social media activities of the youth were monitored, and then communication was started by sending them messages. Gradually, they were brought under their influence and incited towards terrorist activities.

It has come to light that various types of inducements were being offered through this network to lure the youth. Some youths were given assurances of settling abroad, while others were offered proposals to reside in Pakistan. Some youths were lured with large sums of money and financial help for their families. Additionally, attempts were being made to incite hatred against people of other communities by provoking religious sentiments. According to investigative agencies, this conversation started on social media was gradually becoming a medium to push the youth towards serious criminal and terrorist activities. Intelligence agencies have become alert after receiving inputs regarding terrorist activities linked to Shahzad Bhatti and his network in various states, including Punjab.