The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has initiated an inquiry into a gaming application and multiple social media accounts following intelligence reports indicating that anti-national elements based outside India may have leveraged these platforms to communicate with individuals within the country. In response to these inputs, ATS teams conducted inquiries and field visits across the Vidarbha region on Wednesday, including the districts of Chandrapur and Bhandara, according to sources.
Detention and Questioning
As part of the operation, one suspect was detained from Akola for questioning. Sources revealed that the individual, believed to be a resident of Washim district, was picked up earlier in the day by ATS officials. As of now, authorities have not issued any official statement, and the suspect's identity remains confidential due to the sensitive nature of the investigation.
Links to Pakistan-Based Gangster
Sources further indicated that the investigation is connected to individuals allegedly associated with Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti and networks suspected of attempting to expand their presence in Maharashtra. ATS teams reportedly identified multiple suspects across the state and launched coordinated inquiries at various locations.
Operations in Chandrapur and Bhandara
In Chandrapur, ATS officials questioned a person over alleged suspicious social media activity. Chandrapur Superintendent of Police (SP) Ayush Nopany confirmed the development, stating, 'They had information regarding a person's alleged doubtful social media and gaming activities, so they summoned him for questioning, but nothing suspicious was found.'
A similar operation was carried out in Bhandara district, where ATS personnel summoned a local resident for questioning in connection with alleged anti-national social media links. SP Noorul Hasan confirmed this, adding that while ATS officials were present in the district for the probe, detailed information could officially be shared only by the agency concerned.
Investigation Findings
Sources within the department added that while some of the individuals questioned were found to be active users of the game under scrutiny, investigators did not find evidence suggesting their direct involvement in communication with anti-national entities, as initially suspected. Officials from the Nagpur unit of the Maharashtra ATS confirmed that no such inquiry was conducted within Nagpur district limits. Additional Commissioner of Police (CP) Shivaji Rathod also stated that Nagpur Police were not part of any such operation, confirming the same.
Confidential Probe Underway
However, officials maintained that the broader inquiry remains highly confidential and is being supervised directly by ATS headquarters. The probe is reportedly still underway, with further developments expected as the investigation progresses.
