Pakistani Influencer Shahzad Bhatti (Image: Internet)
New Delhi: The arrest of nine individuals allegedly linked to a Pakistan-based terror network has once again drawn attention to Pakistani social media influencer Shahzad Bhatti, whose name has repeatedly surfaced in investigations conducted by Indian security agencies.
The latest operation by the Delhi Police Special Cell has reignited interest in Shahzad Bhatti, a 45-year-old influencer and businessman who has been under the scanner in multiple cases involving alleged radicalisation efforts and suspected cross-border networks.
Originally from Pakistan's Punjab province, Bhatti rose to prominence through social media platforms, where he built a substantial following by posting content related to religion, nationalism and influencer-related controversies. His online identity, popularly associated with the number "333", became widely recognised among his followers.
Before gaining online popularity, Bhatti was reportedly linked to several criminal cases in Pakistan, including allegations of theft and robbery. Reports also connected him to individuals associated with Lahore's criminal underworld. Bhatti, however, has consistently dismissed such claims, describing those relationships as personal acquaintances.
Investigators say Bhatti later moved to the United Arab Emirates, where he claimed to operate businesses in sectors such as scrap trading, agriculture and dairy farming.
One aspect of Bhatti's public profile that attracted significant attention was his claimed friendship with jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. The connection reportedly began through online discussions concerning content Bhatti considered offensive to Islam.
Authorities also linked him to Zeeshan Akhtar, an alleged associate of the Bishnoi gang who has been accused in the murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique.
Indian agencies first brought Bhatti into focus following a grenade attack near Punjab-based influencer Rozer Sandhu's residence in 2024. Investigators alleged he played a role in the conspiracy, an accusation he denied.
Since then, his name has appeared in investigations across several states. Agencies have alleged that he maintained links with Pakistan's ISI and used social media to establish contacts in India. Most recently, Maharashtra ATS questioned dozens of individuals who had interacted with accounts allegedly connected to Bhatti as part of an effort to examine suspected online recruitment and influence networks.
