New Delhi, July 13 (SocialNews.XYZ) In October 2025, the Jaish-e-Mohammed set up its first women’s wing led by Sadiya Azhar, the sister of the outfit’s chief Masood Azhar. The main aim of the wing was recruitment, radicalisation, and eventually to build a Fedayeen squad.

The wing, known as Jamaat-ul-Mominaat (JuM), has been actively radicalising both men and women in Pakistan. Intelligence agencies have now learnt that a new modus operandi is in play so far as its India operations are concerned.

An Intelligence Bureau official said that the JuM is now trapping Indian women online. It is a sort of trap that the JuM has set for gullible women. The outfit has a set of youth who trap Indian women online and lure them into marriage, the official said. The trap is often set on women who live in the bordering areas so that it is easy for these women to cross over into Pakistan, the official said.

The plan is to ensure that these women enter Pakistan and then get married. The women who get trapped are given the impression that they are entering into a legitimate relationship. Once in Pakistan, they are brainwashed, and then attempts would be made to send them back to India.

An official said that once these women are sent back to India, they are expected to gather information relating to sensitive locations. Although this is not a new phenomenon for the Jaish-e-Mohammed, the scale at which they are planning this operation is alarming.

Earlier, such drives would be undertaken in Jammu and Kashmir. However, now the focus has shifted to Rajasthan, considering the state shares a long border with Pakistan. Rajasthan shares a 1,070 km long border with Pakistan, which runs from Hindumal Kot in Sri Ganganagar to Shahgarh in Barmer.

A lot of social media activity has been reported in these areas. Many girls have been identified, and they are being contacted on social media by the ISI-backed elements. The handlers do plenty of scanning of profiles before starting to set a trap.

Vulnerable girls who have social issues, poor family ties, and those who are lonely are the targets of these elements. Such women are vulnerable, and owing to their loneliness, they can be easily lured with the promise of marriage, a good life, and companionship.

The Jaish-e-Mohammed handlers spend hours talking to these women on a daily basis. These conversations usually go on for over six months before the offer of marriage is made. Officials say that these women do not understand what they are signing up for, and once in Pakistan, there is no turning back.

An official said that all through the courting period, these women are never asked sensitive questions or information about key locations. They are made to believe that what is taking place is normal courtship.

The official said that once a woman agrees to get married, she is asked to obtain a valid passport. If crossing into Pakistan through the Rajasthan border is possible, then this is the most preferred option. If not, they are asked to take the Nepal route, and then a tout would be assigned to help them cross over to Pakistan. The other route they are told to take is through Saudi Arabia. Once in Saudi Arabia, the Jaish-e-Mohammed touts are told to assist these women reach Pakistan, the official said.

Officials say that this is the most deceptive way of recruiting women. They are gullible and vulnerable and hence walk into the trap quite easily. The official said that not all women are expected to return to India and gather information. This is also part of a larger drive to build up a huge network for the JuM. Once recruited into the JuM, the task of these women would be to reach out to other women and youth in India and rope them into these terror groups, the official added.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Hizbul Mujahideen, once projected as a home-grown terror outfit in Jammu and Kashmir, has recently begun changing its strategy.

The group, which had remained largely inactive after Indian security forces dismantled most of its networks in Jammu and Kashmir, has now launched a fresh recruitment drive.

An Intelligence Bureau official said that the recruitment pattern is, however, different and today the Hizbul Mujahideen has more Pakistani fighters as compared to the local Kashmiris.

“This clearly shows that the local Kashmiris no longer want to be part of this outfit; hence a decision to recruit Pakistanis in large numbers has been taken,” the official said.

The official said that on July 8, a meeting was held to commemorate the death anniversary of slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.

The members of the outfit, which is headquartered in Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), discussed a range of issues that involved recruitment and strategy. The Hizbul Mujahideen has been under immense pressure from the Pakistani establishment to regroup and commence operations in Jammu and Kashmir.

Post Operation Sindoor, the Hizbul Mujahideen has remained relatively quiet and not focused on its future operations. With the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) down owing to its top leaders missing in action, the emphasis to commence operations in Jammu and Kashmir largely falls on the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hizbul Mujahideen.

“The Pakistani establishment is engaging the Lashkar-e-Taiba in the various trouble-torn regions in Pakistan. The terror group has been tasked with taking on outfits such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP),” another official said.

With the Lashkar engaged in Pakistan, its spy agency, Inter Services Intelligence, wants to push the Hizbul Mujahideen and is expecting it to restart operations in Jammu and Kashmir.

The outfit, which has struggled to gain traction in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years, is now looking to recruit Pakistani nationals into its ranks. In addition to this, the ISI has also instructed the Hizbul Mujahideen to be ready for infiltrations.

Nearly 100 Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists are reportedly waiting at launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to infiltrate Jammu and Kashmir. At the same time, the outfit's top leadership has been directed to intensify its propaganda campaign in the Valley.

The outfit's top leadership, led by Syed Salahuddin, has been directed to step up efforts to recruit youth in Kashmir. Even as it plans to induct large numbers of Pakistani nationals, the group is also expected to strengthen its local presence by bringing more Kashmiris into its ranks.

Another official said that these moves being made by the Hizbul Mujahideen cannot be taken lightly. The focus would not just be on recruiting terrorists and attempting attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Hizbul Mujahideen has a history of driving a separatist narrative. It would scout for persons in Jammu and Kashmir who can re-introduce separatism in the Union Territory. In fact, this move would be more dangerous when compared to actual terror strikes.

One of the key drivers of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir has been separatism. Separatist leaders have long been accused of radicalising young people, encouraging stone-pelting and persuading them to join terror groups to fight the Indian security forces.

Officials say Hizbul Mujahideen's revival plan rests on two key elements: recruiting more terrorists from Pakistan and reviving separatist sentiment in the Valley.

While the outfit's comeback may not be easy given the heavy losses it has suffered at the hands of Indian security agencies since 2016, officials caution that the renewed push to revive militant operations in Jammu and Kashmir cannot be taken lightly.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) Shehzad Bhatti has emerged as the Inter-Services Intelligence's latest operative tasked with carrying out a large-scale recruitment drive in India aimed at fuelling terrorism.

Once known as a social media influencer, Bhatti was recruited by the Pakistani spy agency to enlist Indian youth for activities ranging from drug smuggling and targeted killings to collecting sensitive information. Intelligence inputs indicate that he has been running this recruitment network in India for several months.

Bhatti follows a shifting recruitment strategy to evade scrutiny. He focuses on one state at a time and, as soon as security agencies begin closing in on his network, shifts operations elsewhere. A few months ago, his recruitment drive was centred in Uttar Pradesh. After intelligence agencies picked up the trail, he moved his operations to Maharashtra.

An Intelligence Bureau official said that the Bhatti’s network, which is backed by ISI, has a distinct way of functioning. “They are not indulging in pan-India recruitments. They are targeting youth from one state at a time, and this helps them evade the security agencies,” the official said.

After being recruited by the ISI, Bhatti was tasked with targeting youth in North Indian states for recruitment. Over the past six months, he reached out to young people across the region and allegedly enlisted them for a range of activities, luring many with payments as low as Rs 5,000.

Despite the meagre payments, those recruited were expected to carry out significant assignments. The recruitment pattern differed from that of traditional terror outfits.

Officials say that the network deliberately avoided telling recruits they could eventually be used for terror-related activities, fearing such disclosures would drive them away. Instead, Bhatti's operatives allegedly targeted unemployed youth, luring them with offers of easy money in return for carrying out assigned tasks.

“The tasks that were assigned initially required the recruits to smuggle narcotics in smaller quantities. They were also told to gather information about sensitive locations. These tasks do not appear risky when compared to being told to carry out a terror attack,” the official said.

The youth too did not find the task too daunting and would readily agree to undertake the same even for a small amount of money, the official added.

Another official said Bhatti's strategy was to recruit young men first and then assign them relatively minor tasks. If they completed these assignments without attracting the attention of security agencies, they would be offered higher payments and gradually entrusted with more serious operations, including terror-related activities, the official alleged.

He was in the process of creating a massive module comprising youth across the country and having them execute tasks at his beck and call, the official said. When Bhatti carried out his recruitment drive in North India, his targets were mainly people who needed money.

Investigators say Bhatti's recruitment drive in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana focused on low-income individuals, including biryani sellers, small-time moneylenders and vegetable vendors. They were initially assigned seemingly minor tasks such as smuggling small firearms and marijuana. Officials believe these assignments were designed to test their reliability, build confidence and prepare them for more serious operations at a later stage.

Officials say that Bhatti has a pan-India plan. In Maharashtra, there are over 100 youth who are under the scanner of the security agencies. The investigation that is being conducted by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) reveals a much larger plan that Bhatti has set in motion.

The Maharashtra ATS has learnt that Bhatti and his associates were expanding their network by using an online outreach programme, financial inducements and propaganda.

Officials say many of those recruited were drawn in by the promise of easy money. According to investigators, Bhatti and his associates have prepared recruitment networks across multiple states. Whenever security agencies intensify surveillance and begin dismantling his operations in one state, he is said to shift his focus to another, constantly changing locations in an effort to stay ahead of law enforcement.

Officials say dismantling this network presents a major challenge for security agencies. According to investigators, Bhatti is expected to continue the recruitment drive until he succeeds in establishing extensive modules across multiple states, creating a wider network capable of supporting terror-related activities.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 10 (SocialNews.XYZ) Pakistan's troubles appear far from over. Even as the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) has called for intensified protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has also escalated its activities in Balochistan, adding to Islamabad's growing challenges.

Casualties among Pakistan's security personnel have risen sharply over the past few months. The scale of the losses is evident from the fact that 38 security personnel were killed between July 5 and 8 alone. The dead included 27 policemen and 11 soldiers.

In recent weeks, this has been the biggest setback that the Pakistani security forces have faced. Weeks ago, a deadly attack targeted a train carrying Pakistani security personnel in Balochistan.

An official said that while the Pakistani establishment could be hiding the real number of casualties, intelligence inputs indicate that nearly 150 personnel have been killed in the past two months.

The official said the casualty rate has risen since security forces launched operations to regain control of highways that had fallen into the hands of insurgents.

Organisations such as the BLA have been enhancing capacity over the last couple of years. Today, they have control over the highways and also know the logistics better than the Pakistani security forces. The forces are also losing out due to poor intelligence.

The official said the BLA enjoys widespread local support in parts of Balochistan, which has led to a sharp decline in ground-level intelligence available to the security forces.

An Intelligence Bureau official said, "What has shocked the Pakistani establishment is the manner in which the BLA has been operating in recent times. An organisation that once specialised in guerrilla warfare has evolved well beyond that. It now has a full-fledged suicide squad, which also includes women."

The BLA’s intelligence unit is more efficient than that of the Pakistani establishment. It can carry out coordinated attacks. The sophistication of the BLA's attacks has also increased significantly, making it far more challenging for the Pakistani establishment to counter the group's operations, the official said.

Another official said one of the biggest changes has been the growing support for the BLA. For years, Pakistan has faced criticism from human rights organisations over allegations of enforced disappearances, targeted killings and sexual violence against local women.

“These allegations have fuelled resentment among sections of the local population, many of whom now stand united against the Pakistani establishment,” the official said.

The official also said that the BLA has only been fighting for the rights of the region. For long, they have requested the establishment to use the money generated through the natural resources of Balochistan for the development of the region. This resentment can be seen in the fact that the BLA has targeted police stations, checkpoints, highways and government infrastructure. Islamabad has been accused of diverting all the revenue earned from the region to the bigger cities of Pakistan.

The Baloch people have even complained that none of the benefits that Islamabad would gain from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Project (CPEC) would be used for the betterment of the region.

Officials say that Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir finds himself at the crossroads. Be it Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or PoK, his message is one of violence. Munir has been adamant and refuses to have dialogue with these disgruntled groups. Even when the protests intensified in PoK, his message was to crush the dissent using force.

An official said that in Balochistan, the Pakistan Army chief may soon face a situation where the BLA refuses to hold talks even if he seeks negotiations. Officials added that successive Pakistani governments have adopted an arrogant approach towards Balochistan, further deepening the alienation of the local population.

Over the years, organisations such as the BLA have enhanced strike capabilities and are today using modern weapons, enhanced technology and commercially available drones to target the establishment, the official also added.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 10 (SocialNews.XYZ) The nature of radicalisation in South India is undergoing a significant shift, with security agencies increasingly concerned about individuals and small groups propagating extremist ideologies without any formal links to terror organisations.

This emerging pattern has left the security agencies worried, and individuals or smaller groups running radicalisation networks are hard to track.

Recent investigations by various agencies and the raids that have taken place in the southern state point towards this new pattern. An Intelligence Bureau official said that these youths are not even associated with any terror group. They have been inspired by groups such as the Islamic State or Al-Qaeda and are independently spreading radical beliefs. They are doing so without seeking any financial or logistical support from any terror groups, the official said.

The lack of structure in their operations and the fact that none have any criminal record only make tracking these individual radical modules harder. Another official said that the scenario where radicalisation was concerned in South India has always remained a concern. For years, this issue has been ignored, and over time, with no attention paid, scores of radical elements have begun to thrive.

The Popular Front of India (PFI) had, for a long time, run radicalisation camps. The PFI’s activities were easier to track since the organisation had a structure. It had offices and its cadres were visible, thus making it easier for the agencies to track. It was thanks to a series of extensive probes by multiple agencies led by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) that led to the ban on the PFI.

Counter-terror experts say that thanks to outfits such as the PFI, Islamic State and Al Qaeda, these radicalisation modules are on autopilot mode. These modules at times are run by an individual or by a group of three to four persons. They just randomly target an individual on social media. After a couple of meetings online, the radicalisation process begins.

These individuals do not target persons from a particular state. They reach out to persons from across the country and then advise them to target more people. The experts say that the idea is to reach a large number of people and then radicalise them. The newly radicalised persons are expected to continue with this process, and in the bargain, it becomes a chain reaction, the experts also say.

An official said that the issue is very serious. These radicalisation modules do not urge the youth to undertake terror attacks. The pattern is changing, and the idea is to change the mindset of society, with the larger goal being the establishment of an Islamic State, the official said.

The official said that currently the target audience is men. Eventually, they would target women too for radicalisation. They said women may be encouraged to play a role in enforcing conservative social norms and shaping future generations through ideological influence. This would include the way they dress and the manner in which they should bring up their children. It is a fast-spreading poison, and the aim is to have a completely radicalised society which would be governed by the Sharia Law, the official said.

In each of these self-created modules, the main topic apart from radical Islam has been ways to throw out the Indian government. Through a fully radicalised society, the intention is to overthrow the democratically elected government, and let the country be governed by the radical ideology of groups such as Al-Qaeda or Islamic State, officials also say.

Such modules have been found more in the southern states. There is every chance of it spreading across the country. The PFI, which started as just a Kerala-based radical outfit, managed to spread to states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and even some parts of the northeast, officials say.

We are witnessing a similar pattern when it comes to these modules, an official pointed out.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 9 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), along with other law enforcement agencies in the United States, recently launched a major operation and took more than 20 individuals into custody.

The crackdown, codenamed "Operation Hard Ball", targeted the Lawrence Bishnoi network and was aimed at dismantling key factions of the transnational criminal syndicate allegedly involved in criminal activities affecting communities across North America and India. The action was linked to the network's operations in the United States.

While the operation largely targeted the illegal actions of the network, one of the key findings was that there was nothing to link the Indian government with the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani operative.

Ties between India and Canada had strained considerably following the killing of Nijjar. Canada, under the leadership of Justin Trudeau, had blamed the Indian authorities for the killing of Nijjar, and this had strained ties between the two countries.

An official said that the latest action vindicates India’s position that there was nothing credible in the allegations made by Trudeau in 2023 that India had played a role in the murder of Nijjar.

Canada had in 2024 detained and charged 4 Indian nationals for Nijjar’s killing. These allegations that Canada made have been proven false with the latest action by the US.

Ties between India and Canada had deteriorated to such a level that both countries had expelled senior diplomatic staff, with Ottawa then stating that the Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Verma was himself a person of interest in the probe by the Canadian authorities.

The US has now charged Bishnoi and his aide Goldy Brar of ordering the hit on Nijjar. Another official said that this brings into question the probe conducted by the Canadian authorities back in 2024.

The US, while announcing the indictment, stated that there is nothing to back the claim that Indian government agents had masterminded the murder of Nijjar. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), which served as the primary co-lead alongside the FBI operation, said that the probe found no evidence that Indian officials were involved in the crimes.

The Deputy Commissioner of the RCMP, Lisa Moreland, when asked about Trudeau’s allegations against the Indian officials, said that the probe is ongoing and nothing has come out to link the Indian government.

Another official said that India had all along maintained that the killing of Nijjar was a result of a fallout of gang rivalry. This should end the blame game, and ties which have now improved with Canada should remain intact.

Following Trudeau’s exit and with Mark Carney taking over, ties between India and Canada have improved largely. Carney had visited India earlier this year, and both countries vowed to cooperate on several issues, the main being the one linked to the Khalistan movement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Canada later this year to sign a trade agreement.

Officials say that both the Indian and Canadian agencies are working closely on the Khalistan issue. Modi has successfully impressed upon Canada the threat that this movement poses. The security officials of both countries are working in tandem to resolve this issue. This includes cooperation on Intelligence sharing and also tracking down elements linked to this movement.

Canada has cracked down on the Khalistan movement and has introduced a slew of measures to curb its activities.

New Delhi has made it clear that the Khalistan movement is not just a threat in India, but also poses a massive risk to Canada too. For several years, the Khalistanis used Canadian soil to run their propaganda against India.

They have organised referendums and continued to push for the creation of a separate Khalistan nation carved out of Punjab. While the movement found space to operate in Canada for years, it has failed to gain significant traction in Punjab.

Despite repeated attempts by Khalistani elements to revive the movement with the backing of Pakistan's ISI, they have achieved little success so far. The recent improvement in India-Canada ties and the resulting actions against such elements are expected to further weaken the morale of the Khalistanis, the officials said.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 9 (SocialNews.XYZ) Indian intelligence agencies have warned of an emerging security threat to the Indian diaspora in Canada and the United Kingdom, with inputs indicating that elements linked to the Pakistan-based Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) and Khalistani extremists are planning a coordinated campaign of attacks against individuals perceived to be supporters of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

According to intelligence officials, the Indian diaspora in both countries has witnessed a rise in hate crimes and violence allegedly carried out by Khalistan-linked elements. While such incidents were largely isolated in the past, agencies now believe they could become more organised. Indian security agencies are coordinating closely with their counterparts in Western countries to strengthen security and prevent such attacks.

An Intelligence Bureau official said the ISI, which backs the Khalistan movement, has activated its Europe-based modules to step up attacks against the Indian community in the UK and Canada. According to the official, these incidents are no longer expected to be isolated or spontaneous, but part of a more coordinated campaign.

"The ISI is planning a series of coordinated attacks against the Indian diaspora. These elements are expected to target individuals by branding them as pro-India or supporters of PM Modi. That is likely to be the pretext for carrying out such attacks," the official said.

This shift in the ISI's modus operandi stems largely from growing frustration over the lack of momentum in the Khalistan movement, the official added.

The official further said that the target would not just be the Indian diaspora. There are plans afloat to target the Indian agencies too who are busting and investigating cases related to the Khalistani movement.

Indian security officials, who have been closely monitoring the Khalistan movement and the efforts to revive it, have said that the campaign has achieved only limited success.

“The frustration is growing as the plans set in motion have failed to deliver the results the ISI had anticipated. Targeting the Indian diaspora and the investigating agencies is to send out a strong message to those who are opposing the Khalistan movement,” officials say.

Another official pointed out that the ISI would be using its gangster network to carry out violent attacks. They have been told to activate modules in Europe and India to put in motion this plan. In India, they would use the local gangsters to carry out these attacks.

“The modules in Europe would play the role of a coordinator. They have been told to use social media to call for attacks against the Indian diaspora and the investigating agencies,” the official added.

Officials also said support for the Khalistan movement in the UK and Canada has declined significantly in recent years. While a section of the local population had earlier sympathised with the cause, the situation is changing rapidly. Many now believe that the Khalistan movement and its associated gangster networks are no longer driven by the cause they claim to represent.

The focus is largely on extortion, narcotic and arms smuggling. Moreover, the people who have migrated to the UK or Canada want to live peacefully. The attacks by Khalistani elements are not only disturbing peace and harmony but are also tarnishing the image of the Indian community.

This explains the declining support base for the Khalistanis and their movement, the officials pointed out.

Officials said the alleged plans to target the Indian diaspora are also intended to send a message to India at a time when its ties with Canada and the UK have improved. They described the recent reset in relations with Canada as a significant diplomatic achievement for India, noting that Khalistani elements had operated from the country for many years. According to the officials, these groups had long benefited from political patronage, enabling them to pursue anti-India activities from Canadian soil.

The improvement in ties between India and Canada following meetings between Modi and his counterpart Mark Carney paved the way for the Indian agencies to take on the Khalistani forces.

With frustration mounting over its limited success, the ISI and Khalistan-linked terror groups have shifted their focus towards targeting Indian investigative agencies as well as members of the Indian diaspora abroad, the official added.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) As India’s Operation Sindoor continues to cast a long shadow over Pakistan-based terror outfits, the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), weakened by heavy losses and struggling to regain operational strength, has launched an extensive digital propaganda campaign in a bid to stay relevant and rebuild its support base, intelligence officials have said.

According to officials, Operation Sindoor dealt a severe blow to the JeM, including the destruction of its headquarters at Bahawalpur and the loss of several cadres and senior functionaries. While the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba has shown signs of gradual revival through renewed infiltration attempts and restructuring of its command network, JeM has failed to recover at a similar pace.

An Intelligence Bureau official said that intercepts suggest that the Jaish-e-Mohammed has been attempting to run a major digital propaganda campaign. The campaign has two objectives -- to radicalise a large number of youth both in India and Pakistan, and to remain relevant so that the cadres do not move away, the official said.

The official added that when it comes to terror-related operations in India, the Jaish-e-Mohammed has been the most brutal after the Lashkar-e-Taiba. Currently, the outfit is unable to operate with the kind of ease it had managed to all these years. Even operations in Jammu and Kashmir are down owing to tight security, both within the Union Territory and the India-Pakistan border.

In this situation, there is a sense of desperation that has crept in, and hence the Jaish-e-Mohammed, under the guidance of the ISI, has decided to launch an extensive propaganda campaign.

Another official said that the propaganda campaign would include Jihad-related material. There are also plans afloat to put out doctored videos aimed at defaming the Indian government and army. The focus would be on creating doctored videos with a fake message of how the Indian armed forces are torturing the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

The official added that such propaganda would work for the Jaish-e-Mohammed both in India and Pakistan. In India, it is aimed at radicalising the youth and ensuring that they recruit and create homegrown terror outfits. In Pakistan, these doctored videos would be used to send out a message to the local youth about why they should join the terror group and fight against India.

The experts say the Jaish-e-Mohammed is currently facing a crisis like never before. This is the longest that the top leadership has remained silent, courtesy Operation Sindoor that rattled the terror group.

Many are asking about the whereabouts of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar, and the leadership has failed to provide any sort of explanation. Officials say that the Jaish-e-Mohammed did manage to rebuild the Markaz Subhan Allah headquarters at Bahawalpur. The structure has indeed come up, but the activity remains low, officials said.

This could also be to do with the fact that the outfit is not prepared to come under the radar of the Indian agencies this soon. Before Operation Sindoor, the Bahawalpur facility had around 600 active cadres, which included the top leadership. However, those numbers have dwindled, and many top leaders have been moved closer to army installations to ensure their safety.

Even Azhar does not visit this facility anymore, and this is a deliberate strategy. An official said that during the Indian operation that was carried out to avenge the Pahalgam attack, many of Azhar’s leaders were targeted and killed. Since then, Azhar has remained incommunicado, and there are reports that he may be very unwell, the official also added.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) As India intensifies its campaign against narcotics, enforcement agencies are confronting a new and rapidly evolving threat -- drug trafficking networks operating through the dark web and cryptocurrencies. Officials say the narcotics trade is increasingly shifting away from conventional smuggling routes, making investigations more complex and hampering efforts to trace financial transactions.

An Intelligence Bureau official said that it is no longer the routes used by narcotic cartels that pose the challenge. The trade has largely shifted to the dark web, and this poses a major challenge. Further, the transactions are fuelled by cryptocurrency, and this has aided the smugglers in concealing their networks behind digital wallets.

The official said that tracing the financial trail is very crucial in a drug smuggling operation. The conventional land, air and sea routes no longer pose a major challenge. These are the conventional methods that have been used for years by drug smugglers.

The cryptocurrency transactions being made by drug lords are what the agencies are finding hard to track. Another official said that the drug smugglers have roped in various dark web groups to help further their business. These groups operate through encrypted browsers and dedicated systems. It takes a lot to track such an operation, and going forward this would pose a major challenge for Indian agencies, the official also said.

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), India’s premier anti-drug agency, had between 2020 and 2024 booked 92 cases involving the dark net and cryptocurrencies. The NCB has found that the drug trade is increasingly shifting to this method and has led the agency to enhance technology and surveillance online, an official said.

Earlier this year, the NCB had busted a dark net-enabled pan-India drug distribution network. During the probe, it was found that this cartel known as Team Kalki would source high-grade LSD and MDMA from Poland, Germany and the Netherlands.

It then adopted a drop-dead technique by which the drugs would be left at a pre-determined hidden location for trusted customers. Using speed post and various couriers, the cartel managed more than 1,000 orders across the country. To conceal the money trail, it routed the funds through intermediary mule wallets.

Officials say that while the dark net remains the biggest challenge, a new trend where smaller cartels operating without the backing of the bigger cartels is emerging. The dark web has helped individuals with ample technical expertise to run a drug operation.

The official explained that the emergence of these smaller and unknown players has made the battle against drugs even more challenging. The Indian narcotics markets are largely being controlled either by the Dawood Ibrahim Syndicate or the drug lords operating out of the Golden Triangle. The D-Syndicate operates more in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and the other northern parts of the country.

It does have southern operations based in Tamil Nadu, and these narcotics are meant for some southern states and Sri Lanka. The Golden Triangle cartels focus on the northeast and also Sri Lanka through the Southern states. The drugs that land in Sri Lanka are meant for local markets, while the remaining are smuggled into Thailand.

Officials say that handling these cartels is relatively easier. They often use conventional methods and smuggle drugs using land, sea, or air routes. However, it is these unknown players who form cartels with just one or two persons is what poses the challenge.

There is no file on them, and they are largely incognito. Two to three persons with ample technical knowledge of the dark web get together and start a cartel. They are also not associated with any major syndicate, and this makes finding their trail harder, the official said.

An official said that the newer technologies do pose a challenge, with unknown and smaller cartels coming up. However, this does not mean that bigger syndicates would look to completely stop using the conventional methods. They would try to maximise their business and hence would use all possible methods available at their disposal, the official said.

Source: IANS

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Jaipur, July 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) A political slugfest has erupted in Rajasthan over the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC), with the Congress demanding that the BJP government release the draft legislation before seeking public suggestions, while the ruling party has defended the consultation process as a step towards building broad consensus.

The state government has invited suggestions from citizens on the proposed UCC, but the opposition has questioned the process, arguing that people cannot provide informed feedback without knowing what the proposed law contains.

The issue has quickly turned into a fresh political flashpoint, with both sides trading sharp allegations.

Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra said the government should first release the draft of the proposed UCC before asking the public for suggestions. According to the Congress, meaningful consultation is possible only when people are aware of the provisions being proposed.

Party leaders described the government's approach as lacking transparency and alleged that the exercise is politically motivated. Dotasra accused the BJP government of diverting public attention from pressing issues such as electricity shortages, water supply, unemployment and deteriorating law and order.

"The government is busy seeking suggestions on the UCC, but where are the public hearings on electricity, water and employment?" he told IANS, alleging that the ruling party is trying to shift the political narrative away from governance-related concerns.

He also questioned the composition of the committee examining the UCC, claiming that individuals with a particular ideological background had been included in the panel.

Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully echoed the demand for transparency, insisting that the complete draft should be made public before any consultation process begins. "If people do not know what the law proposes, what suggestions can they possibly give?" Jully asked.

He further alleged that the BJP government was raising the UCC issue to divert attention from development, law and order and other public concerns.

Jully also reminded the government of its promise to introduce legislation for the conservation of the Khejri tree, claiming that no concrete action has been taken despite earlier assurances. The Congress has clarified that it will present its detailed position if a UCC Bill is introduced in the Rajasthan Assembly, but insists that transparency must precede any public consultation.

Responding to the Congress attack, Rajasthan BJP president Madan Rathore said the Opposition's objections were misplaced because the consultation process itself is meant to shape the proposed law. He said the government has not taken any final decision regarding Hindu law, Muslim Personal Law or other legal provisions and that every decision will be based on the suggestions received from various sections of society.

"The objective is to achieve maximum consensus before preparing the legislation," Rathore said, adding that Rajasthan is studying the UCC models adopted by other states while considering local circumstances before drafting its own law.

Questioning the Congress's stand, Rathore asked why the opposition was objecting to the process of inviting public opinion. He said if the Congress identifies shortcomings in the proposed legislation, it should raise them in the Assembly instead of opposing consultations.

The BJP leader also accused the Congress of lacking substantive issues to challenge the government and alleged that the Opposition had resorted to personal attacks and political rhetoric instead of engaging in constructive debate.

With the government continuing its consultation process and the Congress demanding that the draft be released first, the proposed Uniform Civil Code has emerged as the latest political battleground in Rajasthan.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 7 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Khalistan challenge remains significant, with counter-terror agencies maintaining heightened vigilance to prevent any resurgence of militancy. Despite sustained efforts by pro-Khalistan elements to revive the movement in Punjab, they have achieved little success so far.

Close coordination between the Punjab Police, intelligence agencies and other central agencies has led to the arrest of nearly 117 people and the busting of eight Khalistan-backed modules.

An Intelligence Bureau official said that with repeated crackdowns on Khalistan-backed modules, groups allegedly backed by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence are adopting new strategies to evade detection and confuse security agencies. "There is no single fixed pattern that they are following anymore," the official said.

Security agencies had anticipated that Khalistani terror outfits such as the Babbar Khalsa International and the Khalistan Liberation Army might attempt large-scale attacks, including suicide bombings or major blasts. However, these groups have so far either refrained from carrying out such attacks or have been unable to execute them due to heightened vigilance by security agencies.

For the past few months, these groups relied on targeted killings and extortion to further their activities. As security agencies tightened the crackdown on these operations, they shifted their focus to narcotics smuggling. After months of concentrating on the drug trade, they moved to arms smuggling. For a brief period, some operatives also turned to counterfeiting before once again changing their methods.

An official said that while these operations are different in nature, the main common link remained the Khalistan movement. “All these operations were carried out by the same people and modules that are backed by the ISI. The idea is to keep the pot boiling and not get bogged down by the security agencies,” the official said.

Another official said that at a time when the ISI has been desperately trying to revive the movement, it is important for the Pakistani spy agency to keep the ball rolling at all times. A prolonged lull in activity would be counterproductive, as it could dry up funding, hamper recruitment efforts and, more importantly, erode the movement momentum.

Officials say that it is a fact that the Khalistan movement has not taken off the way these elements would have expected it to be. While these elements have been on the job, it is a fact that the security agencies have had more success. The ISI cannot afford this to happen for so long and hence has been devising newer tactics each time a major bust takes place, officials say.

The Punjab police and the central agencies, which have been at the forefront in fighting the Khalistan movement, have understood the manner in which the ISI has been devising new strategies. The agencies have been quick to pick up information about newer trends emerging and have largely beaten down any attempt being made by the Khalistani terror groups, officials point out.

The security agencies have also learnt that these persons do not just rely on newer technologies to further their cause. The payment methods have largely changed in this emerging world of terror. However, these Khalistani terror groups do not solely rely on advanced technology when it comes to transferring funds. They at times follow the traditional hawala method. By opening multiple channels for recruitment and fund transfers, these groups seek to confuse security agencies and make it harder for investigators to trace their networks and financial trails.

An official said that the Khalistan issue within the country is largely under control. However, the deployment of handlers overseas is the major cause for worry. The ISI has recruited handlers and ensured that these persons have set up bases in the Gulf, Europe and Pakistan. These handlers are relentless in their pursuit and are constantly looking to recruit radicalised youth from Punjab. This is an area of concern because if the youth start romanticising the Khalistan cause, then one would be starting at a larger problem, the official also said.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 7 (SocialNews.XYZ) The protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have accused the security forces of committing alleged atrocities and excesses as they continue their agitation to press for their demands. Despite repeated crackdowns, the protests show no signs of losing momentum, with demonstrators remaining steadfast and determined not to back down this time.

Amid the continuing unrest, Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is reportedly attempting to exploit the volatile situation by facilitating multiple infiltration attempts across the border. As the protests intensify, security agencies expect increased pressure along the border with India. A high alert has been sounded all along the Line of Control (LoC) amid concerns that the unrest could be used as a cover for infiltration bids.

The main protests in PoK are taking place in Muzaffarabad and Rawalkot, which are around 15 to 40 km from the Indian side of the LoC. Owing to the atrocities and shortage of food and medicines, many may try to cross over into India, officials say.

“The ISI is looking to take advantage of the ongoing crisis and send its terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir,” officials say.

The Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has launchpads at four places in PoK. They are in Muzaffarabad, Koti, Bhimber, Bagh and Rawalkot. In the midst of all the ongoing commotion, the ISI will look to activate its launchpads in Muzaffarabad and Rawalkot.

An Intelligence Bureau official said that an estimated 300 terrorists are waiting to infiltrate from these two launchpads. For the ISI, slipping in ten terrorists is considered a major success.

The official said that the LeT in particular is desperate to carry out an attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The Lashkar’s proxy, The Resistence Front, which has been explicitly named in the Pahalgam attack chargesheet by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), wants to carry out a similar-style attack.

The ISI considers such attacks more impactful as it drives fear into the minds of the people. Moreover, carrying out such an attack is easier as compared to the one on the security agencies or military installations.

“Security around military bases and other sensitive installations has been significantly strengthened, making it extremely difficult for Lashkar operatives to even get close to these facilities,” officials said.

Another official said that last year’s Pahalgam attack may have cost the Pakistanis dearly in the form of Operation Sindoor. However, the ISI is not likely to stay quiet as there is a lot of pressure on it from its proxies such as the Lashkar and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).

“Hence, carrying out a big strike is important for the ISI,” the official said.

The agencies are keeping a close watch on the border areas as the ISI looks to step up infiltration attempts through the LoC. The Pakistani security forces would look to pressure the people of PoK who are closer to the LoC. The aim is to create a humanitarian crisis so that people try to cross over into India.

“This would stress the border security mechanism, and in case of a single slip-up, the ISI would use that as an opportunity to send in a couple of terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir,” officials said.

Following the Pahalgam terror attack, tourism in Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a sharp decline. With tourism serving as the region's economic lifeline, officials believe the ISI is once again attempting to target the sector by creating fear and uncertainty. The Pakistani spy agency has been identifying major tourist spots in J&K so that it could attack innocent civilians once again.

“Targeting the tourism sector directly affects the livelihoods of thousands of people in Jammu and Kashmir. The ISI's objective is to create economic distress and discontent, hoping it will push some people back towards violence, stone-pelting and other activities aimed at disrupting peace and normalcy in the Union Territory,” an official said.

A major strike in Jammu and Kashmir is of critical importance to the ISI, officials said. Such an attack would boost the morale of terror groups such as Lashkar and aid recruitment, which has declined significantly in recent months. It would also serve as a diversion for Pakistan, which has been grappling with multiple internal crises, including unrest in Balochistan and PoK, the official added.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 6 (SocialNews.XYZ) The appeal by the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to the Indian government for assistance underscores the depth of the crisis unfolding in the region.

Protests have continued across PoK for more than a month, with neither the demonstrators nor the Pakistani establishment showing any signs of backing down.

An official said that the nature of the appeal is particularly worrying, as people in PoK are seeking medicines and essential food supplies from India. This, the official added, reflects the gravity of the humanitarian situation in the region.

Indian officials monitoring the developments said that, on the instructions of Field Marshal Asim Munir, the Pakistani establishment has blocked the supply of ration and medicines to the region for the past 20 days.

Officials said the Pakistani establishment is attempting to starve the people of PoK into abandoning their protests. "There is a full-blown economic blockade of the region," an official said.

The people are facing acute shortages of food, while those injured during the protests are being denied essential medical care. Officials said the blockade began with the suspension of ration supplies and was later extended to medicines, further worsening the humanitarian situation. Many residents are now attempting to flee PoK and cross into India.

The crackdown is brutal, and many are unable to take it any longer and want a safe passage into India. Sardar Aman, a leader of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), has appealed to the Indian government to open the Line of Control (LoC).

He said civilians should be allowed to cross into India if conditions in the region continue to deteriorate.

Another official said that the request to open the LoC comes in the wake of the Pakistan military’s latest decision to open fire at the people if the protests do not subside.

During a meeting chaired by Asim Munir last month, a decision was taken to halt the supply of medicines after ration supplies had already been blocked.

The official alleged that Asim Munir may even pursue harsh measures such as genocide if the protests continue. He claimed that serious human rights violations have been taking place in PoK for several days. Officials also said that the full extent of the situation remains unclear because internet services have been shut down and media access has been severely restricted.

Meanwhile, the JAAC has given the government a 48-hour ultimatum to meet its demands. The group warned that it would launch a decisive phase of its agitation if the Pakistani government failed to comply. It also alleged that the security forces could make repeated attempts to provoke protesters in an effort to justify a crackdown.

The JAAC has warned that the people must maintain discipline ahead of the July 6 deadline. It has invited world bodies such as the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to visit PoK on July 9.

They have urged international bodies to visit the region and independently assess the alleged atrocities committed by the Pakistani security forces against the local population.

The JAAC alleged that the people of the region were facing state-sponsored oppression at the hands of the Pakistani establishment and urged the international community to take note of the situation and speak out.

With the fresh ultimatum now in place, Indian agencies believe the Pakistani establishment is likely to adopt an even more aggressive approach. Officials warned that security forces could intensify their use of force against protesters, adding that the establishment appears unwilling to concede any demands and is prepared to go to great lengths to suppress the agitation.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 6 (SocialNews.XYZ) It is now well known that Hamas is seeking to expand its footprint across the world, with its current focus on South Asia. After establishing a presence in Pakistan with the support of the Inter-Services Intelligence, the outfit is now looking to expand into countries such as Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Amid these developments, Indian agencies are keeping a close watch on the activities of an unorganised radical group called Tawhidi Janata, which operates out of Bangladesh. The group has been active for several years and resurfaces at regular intervals.

The group has in the past been involved in attacks on Sufi institutions in Bangladesh. This group is not an organised one, and it claims that its main objective is to defend Islamic monotheism.

"There is no proper organisational structure, and the ideology it follows remains difficult for agencies to clearly define. It is essentially a loose grouping of radicalised youth who come together to preach a violent interpretation of Islam," the official said.

They have no fixed ideology. At times, they are seen backing the Islamic State, while on other occasions they support Al-Qaeda, the official said. In recent months, they have been propagating the Palestine cause by extending support to Hamas.

An Intelligence Bureau official said that Hamas does not look to operate on its own in countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka. “It would rely on smaller groups to spread its agenda,” the official said.

This is where a group such as the Tawhidi Janata comes into the picture. The recent surge in pro-Hamas propaganda by this outfit suggests that the Palestine-based terror group would rely on the Tawhidi Janata to further its agenda at least in Bangladesh.

Off late, the Tawhidi Janata has become more vocal. In recent months, flags of Al-Qaeda and Islamic State have repeatedly been displayed in the open. In many cases, it was found that those displaying the flags belonged to the Tawhidi Janata.

Another official said that this outfit backs groups such as the Islamic State openly. They follow similar ideologies, and the Tawhidi Janata in the past has been accused of attacking Sufi shrines and Baul gatherings in Bangladesh.

The official said now there is concrete intelligence that suggests that Hamas is reaching out to the Tawhidi Janata to spread its tentacles in Bangladesh. This is a dangerous development, and an unorganised group such as the Tawhidi Janata will use this alliance to spread violent ideology that would be detrimental to the national security of Bangladesh.

Security analysts say that the Tawhidi Janata is not an unknown group. While it has indulged in violent activities, its style of functioning is what makes it hard to keep track of this group. It is largely unorganised and keeps coming now and then.

“Their style of functioning is not structured. They do not depend on terror modules or sleeper cells, and this makes tracking their activities even harder,” officials say.

Officials say that the members of this outfit are aligned with various radical groups. While there are a few who are sympathetic towards the Jama’atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya, a banned terror outfit, some lean more towards the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT). Some members have even been found to be aligned with Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami in Bangladesh (HuJI).

Officials say Hamas would prefer to align with a loosely organised group that is difficult to track. The terror outfit is not interested in carrying out routine attacks in Bangladesh. Instead, its objective is to spread its ideology across the country and eventually allow that influence to spill over into India.

In Bangladesh, Tawhidi Janata has already launched a campaign in which its members are using social media and taking to the streets carrying Kalema flags. The campaign centres on the alleged persecution of Muslims, with a particular focus on Palestine. Officials say this closely aligns with Hamas' narrative, making Tawhidi Janata a suitable vehicle for the Palestine-based terror group to further its agenda.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Lashkar-e-Taiba, which suffered the heaviest losses during Operation Sindoor last year, has begun efforts to rebuild its network and leadership.

After weeks of internal deliberations over succession, the outfit has finally decided to elevate its founder Hafiz Saeed's son, Talha Saeed, to lead the organisation. While some within the group argued that the ageing Hafiz Saeed should step aside, the old guard was unwilling to completely sideline him. As a result, he will continue to play a key role as the outfit's mentor and ideological head, even as Talha Saeed assumes operational leadership.

The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) shares a similar assessment. An official said that even as the outfit resolves its internal leadership issues, the Lashkar-e-Taiba has begun restructuring its operational network. Under the new plan, the group will function through three separate operational commands within Pakistan, with dedicated wings for Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

While the top leadership would remain the same, there would be three different operational commands for the three regions. In all three regions, the Pakistan security forces have suffered huge embarrassment. Many have deserted the forces, and outfits such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have wreaked havoc on the security establishment.

An official said that the reason the ISI wanted the Lashkar to be split into three region-specific commands is to have effective control over the situation. It is an open secret that the Pakistani establishment has roped in cadres of the LeT to fight alongside the security forces against the TTP and BLA.

A region-specific command gives the top leadership more control over the situation. Moreover, each region would have locals from the respective region. This would help the Lashkar as these operatives are better aware of the logistics. In recent months, both the Lashkar and Pakistan's security forces have suffered repeated setbacks at the hands of the TTP and the BLA, largely due to intelligence failures and logistical shortcomings.

The LeT feels that if locals are roped in for specific regions, then the intelligence gathering would improve because of the local connect. The terror outfit also plans to have some operatives who would work covertly too. These persons would mingle with the locals and gather information for the Lashkar.

An Intelligence Bureau official said the Lashkar is also expected to try to infiltrate the BLA and the TTP by planting operatives within the two groups to improve its intelligence gathering.

“If the outfit succeeds in establishing such an internal network, it could significantly strengthen the intelligence capabilities of Pakistan's security forces,” the official added.

While in Balochistan and KP, the intention is to battle the BLA and TTP, in PoK, the plans are entirely different. In this region, the idea is to have the Lashkar carry out attacks.

“They are likely to carry out strikes at multiple locations using either fidayeen attackers or explosive devices. The objective is to intimidate the local population and discourage them from joining or supporting protests. Another key part of the strategy is to stage major terror attacks and then attempt to pin the blame on India,” another official said.

The official said that despite the ongoing restructuring, the strategy for Jammu and Kashmir remains unchanged. All India-centric operations will continue to be overseen by a single command, with every major operational decision being taken by the outfit's top leadership.

The ISI is keen to retain this command structure for operations against India. The continued association of Hafiz Saeed and his son, Talha Saeed, is seen as crucial, as their names continue to carry influence among potential recruits. Maintaining that leadership image is considered important for the Lashkar’s recruitment and mobilisation efforts, the official added.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) India's national security planners, after conducting a detailed analysis of the Inter Services Intelligence's strategy, have determined that the battle must now be waged on three fronts.

Officials say the battle against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism is no longer expected to remain a conventional one. Following Operation Sindoor, Pakistan has allegedly decided to target India on three fronts, requiring all of them to be tackled simultaneously. Security planners believe meeting this multi-front challenge will be India's biggest test.

The ISI would continue to encourage the setting up of home-grown modules in the country. It would back modules such as the one that was busted in Faridabad, Haryana. This change in strategy by the ISI came at a time when India rewrote its security doctrine.

Following the Pahalgam terror attack last year, India declared that it would no longer view terrorism merely as a cross-border attack, but would treat it as an act of war against the country. In the wake of this doctrinal shift, ISI is believed to have concluded that a direct military confrontation with India was no longer a viable option.

While Pakistani politicians periodically threaten India with war, officials say these statements are largely rhetorical and stand in contrast to the ground reality.

An Intelligence Bureau official says that Pakistan will ramp up drug smuggling using drones while also continuing to give a lot of emphasis to its underworld-terror modules. However, what it proposes to engage in the most is the disinformation campaign, the official added.

“Disinformation campaigns would peak the most when the Indian army undertakes some exercise. It would also go up considerably when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is making a foreign visit and also when some dignitary from abroad visits India,” the official pointed out.

Another official said that Pakistan wants the global narrative to be in its favour. It wants to internationalise the Kashmir issue. India, on the other hand, has maintained that Kashmir is an internal issue and there would be no global intervention on that.

The official said the Pakistani spy agency's objective is to tarnish the image of the Prime Minister through sustained disinformation campaigns. According to the official, whenever Modi appears on the global stage, the ISI activates its network of operatives and sympathisers in both Pakistan and India to spread false narratives aimed at undermining both the PM and the purpose of his overseas engagements.

“These campaigns would focus largely on the Kashmir issue and the ISI-run social media handles would look to project India as the aggressor in the Valley and how atrocities have only risen under PM Modi,” officials say.

Security analysts say that the ISI would continue to push for infiltration into Kashmir and also drum up the Khalistan narrative.

However, the prime focus would be on increasing the drone supply chains to further narcotic smuggling, the underworld-terror nexus and a massive disinformation campaign. Such a push makes it harder for the Indian agencies to always keep track of it.

At times, the ISI would intentionally drum up the Khalistan narrative, and this would be aimed at shifting focus, analysts also warn.

Officials said infiltration and the Khalistan movement remain significant security concerns and require constant vigilance by the agencies. However, they cautioned that such developments could at times serve as smokescreens, diverting attention from what they described as the three primary fronts of Pakistan's strategy.

The most challenging of the three remains the disinformation campaign, said the official.

“This spreads like wildfire, and by the time fact-checkers can do a course correction, the information would have reached millions of people,” the official added.

While disinformation campaigns targeting the Indian military have been underway for some time, intelligence agencies are increasingly concerned about what they describe as a concerted effort to tarnish the Prime Minister's image. Officials say these are likely to be sustained campaigns aimed at undermining India's international standing and diplomatic gains achieved under Modi's leadership.

The official said the ISI would not be limited to spreading false information but is also expected to deploy deepfake videos extensively across social media platforms. The scale of the planned campaign, the official added, is expected to be significant, making it one of the biggest challenges for the agencies to counter.

Source: IANS

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Jaipur, July 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) The HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Limited (HRRL) at Pachpadra in Rajasthan's Balotra district is finally set to become operational after a 15-year journey marked by political controversies, land acquisition disputes, repeated delays, mounting costs and even a fire that postponed its inauguration at the last minute.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the country's first greenfield BS-VI-compliant integrated refinery-cum-petrochemical complex on Saturday. The refinery's journey has been anything but straightforward.

It witnessed two foundation-stone laying ceremonies, several announced inauguration dates, bitter political confrontations over its location, land acquisition disputes, significant cost escalation and prolonged execution delays before reaching completion.

Prime Minister Modi was originally scheduled to inaugurate the refinery on April 21, 2026. However, a fire caused by a leak in the CDU-VDU unit on April 20 forced the postponement of the event, delaying the launch once again.

With a refining capacity of 9 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) and one of the highest Nelson Complexity Index (NCI) ratings among Indian refineries, HRRL is expected to transform Rajasthan from a crude oil-producing state into a major petrochemical manufacturing hub.

The refinery was originally proposed at Lilala village in the Baytu region of present-day Balotra district. Following the announcement, influential businessmen, politicians and land speculators reportedly purchased thousands of bighas of land anticipating a sharp appreciation in prices.

However, when the government initiated land acquisition, many farmers refused to part with their land, with some reportedly demanding as much as Rs 1 crore per bigha.

Faced with mounting resistance, the then Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government shifted the refinery to Pachpadra, where adequate government land was available. The decision triggered intense political opposition.

Then Baytu MLA Colonel Sonaram Choudhary openly revolted against his own government, alleging that the refinery was being shifted to benefit the Jodhpur region by locating the downstream petrochemical complex at Kakani.

"I will sacrifice my life, but I will not allow the refinery to leave this place," he had declared publicly.

The controversy deepened further when then Revenue Minister Hemaram Choudhary resigned, making the refinery one of Rajasthan's most politically debated infrastructure projects.

Political controversies continue to surround the project. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot recently alleged that work on the refinery remained stalled for five years during the previous BJP government in Rajasthan, resulting in a sharp escalation in project costs. The former Chief Minister described the refinery as a landmark project for Rajasthan's development and said it deserved a grand public inauguration.

"I read in the newspapers today that the Prime Minister will hold a meeting inside the refinery complex instead of addressing a large public gathering. This project is a major milestone for Rajasthan, and it deserves a proper public inauguration," he said.

Recalling the project's origins, Gehlot said the refinery became possible after sustained efforts by the then Congress government following the discovery of oil in Barmer.

Claiming credit for the project, he said former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and former Congress President Sonia Gandhi facilitated the formation of the refinery company through coordination between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and the Rajasthan government.

Responding to Gehlot's remarks, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Rajendra Gehlot said that during Ashok Gehlot's tenure as Chief Minister, neither refinery site was finalised properly nor was a concrete implementation plan or financial framework prepared.

"The foundation stone was laid in haste merely for political mileage," he alleged.

Rajendra Gehlot further claimed that it was in 2016, under the then BJP government, that the project site was finalised and a structured financial plan was prepared.

He also alleged that between 2018 and 2023, the project witnessed little progress under the previous Congress government. "Instead of advancing the refinery work, the previous (Congress) government remained preoccupied with political concerns," he said.

Meanwhile, HRRL is a joint venture between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), which holds a 74 per cent stake, and the Government of Rajasthan, which owns the remaining 26 per cent. Although the project's cost increased substantially from its original estimate, the refinery is now regarded as one of India's most technologically advanced refining complexes.

Its Nelson Complexity Index (NCI) enables it to process heavy and lower-grade crude oil from across the world into premium products such as petrol, diesel, polypropylene and other petrochemicals with high efficiency.

While most heavy equipment, including reactors, columns and storage tanks, has been manufactured in India under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, sophisticated control systems and high-pressure compressors have been sourced from the United States, Japan and Europe.

Specialists from the Netherlands supervised critical welding and finishing work to ensure global quality standards. Because Rajasthan's crude oil contains a high wax content, engineers built a specially designed heated crude oil pipeline connecting Mundra in Gujarat to Pachpadra, complete with thermal insulation and heating stations to prevent the crude from solidifying during transportation.

Once fully operational, HRRL is expected to redefine Rajasthan's industrial landscape. Beyond refining crude oil, the integrated refinery-cum-petrochemical complex will produce high-value petrochemical products such as polypropylene and polymers, paving the way for downstream plastic, packaging and chemical industries.

The project is expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, attract fresh investments, strengthen India's energy security, reduce dependence on imported petrochemicals and position Rajasthan as one of the country's emerging petrochemical hubs.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 2 (SocialNews.XYZ) Pakistan’s spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence, had set up the terrorist-gangster network with the intention of advancing activities linked to the Khalistan movement. The plan was to ensure that the gangster network smuggled narcotics, arms and ammunition, and raised funds for the Khalistan network.

While this arrangement worked seamlessly for both the Khalistan elements and the gangster network, cracks now appear to be emerging. This follows a reset in ties with Canada and the United Kingdom led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

With both countries intensifying their crackdown on Khalistani networks, coupled with effective coordination among Indian, Canadian and UK agencies, there has been a noticeable shift in strategy.

The Khalistani operatives, who had made the UK and Canada their home to launch campaigns against India all these years, have now realised that the aggressive strategy is not working at all.

An official said that the Khalistanis have always taken a violent stance against India. This included threatening the Indian diaspora and at times even the original residents of the country, spreading anti-India campaigns and also desecration of temples.

“With the coordination in place and an ongoing crackdown on the movement, the fear factor among the people is slowly vanishing,” the official said.

Another official said the Khalistani elements have now opted for a different approach, focusing on organising peaceful events and gradually building public support by highlighting the reasons they believe the movement is necessary.

“These elements decided that they would not indulge in violence now onwards and take a softer approach so that they could convince the people instead of generating fear among them,” the official said.

An Intelligence Bureau official said that this has, however, not gone down too well with the gangster network. The gangster network thrives on violence and fear. A lot of their funds are earned through extortion rackets.

“In Canada, this network has fired at buildings and establishments belonging to the Indian diaspora only with an intention to create fear and extort money from them,” the official added.

A soft approach is something that does not suit the gangster network, the official explained, as fear has been their primary as well as the most effective weapon. This decision to take a softer approach has reportedly been opposed by the gangster network, and this has driven a wedge, officials say.

Counter-terrorism experts say that the Khalistani elements backed by the ISI now find themselves in a spot. It is an open secret that the two networks work hand in hand. Hence, any strike by the gangster network would therefore be immediately linked to the Khalistan movement, undermining its effort to project a non-violent strategy.

On the other hand, the Khalistani elements cannot sever ties with the gangster network. The network remains crucial for procuring arms and ammunition, while the narcotics smuggling racket continues to serve as a key source of funding for the movement.

Officials say that the Khalistani elements want to operate as a separatist movement, rather than a terrorist network. This means that they would use legitimate channels to raise funds, hold seminars and promote narratives in a peaceful manner. This is mainly aimed at taking the Sikh community on board, as the majority of them do not believe in the Khalistan movement.

The Khalistani elements feel that this soft approach could convince the Sikh community about the movement.

“Further, the Khalistan forces are also trying to build a bond between all the Sikhs and the movement,” an official said.

The challenge for the ISI would not only be immense. It has to keep the gangster and terror networks together at any cost. Any wide rift would spell disaster for the movement, which has found it tough to gain any momentum in India. An official said that for the ISI, the balancing act may not be an easy job.

The Pakistani spy agency may rein in the Khalistanis, but keeping the gangster network under check would be extremely hard as these elements would spiral further out of control, the official said.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) In another round of military strikes, Pakistan security forces Sunday carried out ground operations along the Afghanistan border, coupled with airstrikes deeper inside, said reports.

Pakistan claimed that the attacks were targeted at militants in response to multiple attacks across the border, while the Afghan government said that they left dozens of civilians dead or injured, including women and children, the reports said.

Since October 2025, Pakistan has escalated its military campaign against Afghanistan, striking Kabul, Kandahar, Jalalabad, and Paktika in what Islamabad frames as counterterrorism operations against Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) insurgents.

However, Kabul’s Taliban government has denounced these strikes as violations of sovereignty, reporting civilian casualties and accusing Islamabad of using Afghanistan as a scapegoat for its own internal failures.

Border clashes across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Bajaur, Kurram, and Balochistan have left dozens dead, while closures of crossings like Torkham and Chaman disrupted trade and humanitarian flows for about eight months.

A brief ceasefire, brokered by Qatar and Turkey in mid-October, collapsed within days, and by February this year, Pakistan declared “open war” against its neighbour. But rather than decisively weakening the Taliban, it has deepened hostility, destabilised the region, and underscored Pakistan’s reliance on external aggression to mask an imminent domestic collapse.

Earlier, faced with strong diplomatic and military responses from New Delhi, Pakistan had to scale back its efforts to destabilise its eastern neighbour through terrorism.

Meanwhile, Islamabad’s 27th Constitutional Amendment, 2025, entrenched military supremacy by strengthening the army chief’s role, sidelining civilian institutions. Incarcerating Imran Khan and trying to isolate his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party from politics, too, has deepened legitimacy crises.

Opposition alliances demand constitutional supremacy, but mass arrests and shrinking democratic space continue instead.

Pakistan is also facing an economic collapse, with poverty reportedly at 42 per cent, and an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout negotiation currently stalled, the country is desperately trying for assistance simultaneously from China and the United States.

Meanwhile, secessionist movements continue to haunt the country, many led or fed by inbred terror elements.

In Balochistan, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) continues insurgent attacks, often targeting Chinese-funded projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

In Sindh and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK), demands for autonomy or independence simmer, fuelled by reported exploitation and neglect.

Rulers in Islamabad find governance defined by military dominance, where the army frames political disputes as security problems, replacing governance with military management, especially in the border regions.

Military rulers from the garrison town of Rawalpindi define foreign policy, security, and even economic domains. Civilian institutions thus lack legitimacy and capacity, leaving Pakistan unable to effectively address poverty, education, or healthcare crises. Instead, resources are diverted to defence, perpetuating fragility.

Blaming Kabul for harbouring militants is a desperate bid to shift public angst away from the economic collapse and political repression.

For the Pakistan Army, external conflicts serve as a means to justify its dominance, presenting itself as the guardian of sovereignty. Despite having spawned the Taliban, and its precursor – the Mujahideen militia against the then Soviet forces occupying Afghanistan -- Kabul is now the target.

Pakistan’s war against Afghanistan is less about defeating the Taliban than about masking its own failures. But the Taliban’s resurgence has instead created a formidable foe. The war on Afghanistan is a dangerous diversion. It reflects a state unable to contain its own internal turmoil, lashing out at a weaker neighbour to preserve the illusion of strength.

Pakistan now risks deepening its isolation, destabilising the region, and accelerating internal fragmentation. Afghanistan, though militarily weaker, has shown resilience in past conflicts. For Islamabad, the greatest threat is not its neighbours – it lies within.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Terror groups operating in India have adopted a two-pronged strategy, using both radicalisation and financial incentives to recruit and lure young people into their networks.

Officials say there is a clear regional divide in the way these groups operate. While Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) has largely focused on facilitating terror operations in northern India, the southern states have increasingly emerged as centres for radicalisation, where recruitment and ideological indoctrination take precedence.

In North India, the primary focus has been on executing terror attacks. In the southern states, however, the emphasis is largely on radicalisation and recruitment. Recent investigations by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the Special Cell of the Delhi Police indicate that many recruits were drawn into terror networks with the promise of financial rewards.

The ISI has even deployed the underworld to oversee this process, and recruitment has not been based on religion. Instead, almost all those inducted into the ISI's terror-underworld module were lured with financial incentives.

An Intelligence Bureau official says that the focus in South India remains radicalisation. There have been no major attempts made to carry out terror attacks in this part of the country.

“The youth are more susceptible to radicalisation and are more interested in changing the mindset of society rather than carrying out attacks. The focus has been more on the implementation of the Sharia law and preaching violent Islam so that this mindset can be imbibed in society,” the official added.

Further, the ISI-backed elements have been using the close links that some southern states have with the Gulf nations to make the radicalisation push. This was made possible when scores of Wahhabi preachers visited states such as Kerala and Tamil Nadu over the years and attempted to radicalise people, officials claim.

Various Central security agencies are now probing a major radicalisation case involving a dozen individuals based in Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh. Interestingly, these persons are not linked to any terror group. The agencies have learnt that during their online radicalisation sessions, they have preached the ideology of both the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has learnt that this module was solely focused on radicalisation. All 13 persons named in the case were recruited through social media after being radicalised. They were then assigned the task of radicalising more people using encrypted online channels, with the focus largely being on South India, the agencies say.

Meanwhile, in northern India, security agencies continue to bust underworld-linked terror modules. Investigations into these recent cases have revealed a striking pattern, with nearly 99 per cent of the recruits allegedly enticed by financial incentives.

The underworld tasked with overseeing this module has not relied on radicalisation and instead only used money as the main recruitment tool, an official said. More details relating to the recruitment strategy for North India came up following the arrest of one Hufaiza Farooq Ahmed Hashmi. He was arrested in Bhayandar near Mumbai in a joint operation by the Maharashtra ATS and the Special Cell of the Delhi Police. He was tasked with putting up a team of youth, who were ready to go to Delhi for allegedly carrying out targeted killings.

The youths recruited by Hashmi told investigators that they had been instructed to travel to Delhi, where they would be given the identity and location of the intended target upon arrival. Like the other underworld-linked terror modules busted, the one being run by Hashmi also relied only on money for recruitment. He identified youth who were drug addicts and offered them money to join the module, the investigations have found.

An official said this modus operandi clearly shows how the vulnerabilities of young people are being exploited by these elements and how they are being recruited through financial inducements.

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, June 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) The three-day tour by Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) chief Uddhav Thackeray in the constituencies represented by the rebel MPs was planned after the faction led by Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde launched 'Operation Tiger' to lure six Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs into its fold.

The Shinde faction also announced plans for 'Split 3.0', aimed at engineering defections among Shiv Sena (UBT) MLAs and corporators in Maharashtra. Against this backdrop, Thackeray's outreach was intended to reassure party workers that while the party may have suffered setbacks, it was far from defeated.

However, the turbulence surrounding Shiv Sena (UBT) indicates that preventing a "Split 3.0" will be an uphill battle for Uddhav Thackeray. Following the massive vertical split led by Shinde in 2022 and the subsequent 'Operation Tiger', the party lost six of its nine MPs to the Shinde faction. A significant number of Shiv Sena (UBT) MLAs are also reportedly looking to switch sides to the Shinde camp.

Thackeray's ability to survive this third wave depends on his capacity to revive the party by reaching out directly to the sainiks (grassroots workers) and the public. His success, however, will depend on shifting his political strategy from defensive crisis management to structural reform while striking a delicate balance between emotional appeal, organisational survival, and political realities.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief's primary political currency since the 2022 split has been public sympathy, with Uddhav Thackeray projecting himself as a leader betrayed by trusted aides. However, the rebel MPs, including Omprakash Raje Nimbalkar and Nagesh Patil-Ashtikar, have sought to replace that narrative with one centred on "constituency survival." They argued that remaining in the Opposition deprived their constituencies of development funds, claiming that the Rs 5 crore MPLADS allocation is inadequate without the backing of the state government.

While the grassroots sainiks are often driven by emotional loyalty to the Thackeray surname, the broader electorate is transactional. If Shinde effectively frames the Uddhav Sena faction as an "obstacle to development," Thackeray’s focus on emotional betrayal risks losing its edge on neutral voters who prioritise local infrastructure and state aid.

Historically, the Shiv Sena has been a bottom-up organisation driven by local shakhas (branch offices). This structure is both Thackeray’s greatest asset and a major vulnerability. His core strategy involves bypassing top-tier leaders and appealing directly to local cadres. He has consistently argued that "leaders can be bought, but the loyal worker cannot." However, a recurring issue highlighted by the departing MPs is the gatekeeping by senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders like Sanjay Raut. Rebel MPs openly criticised the "harsh language" and structural mistrust within the inner circle.

For successfully retaining the sainiks, Thackeray must democratise access to himself and ensure that local office-bearers feel heard rather than managed by a central command. He needs to transition from a remote figurehead to an active, collaborative manager. The Sena (UBT)’s current structure heavily concentrates decision-making power within a small, Mumbai-centric circle.

Ground-level leaders and regional MPs feel alienated from top-tier strategies. Thackeray needs to institutionalise a broader governing council that gives regional leaders from Marathwada, Vidarbha, and North Maharashtra a real voice in assembly poll ticket distribution and coalition seat-sharing talks.

Thackeray's strongest asset remains the emotional capital associated with the "Thackeray" name among the core Shiv Sainiks. Drawing on that sentiment, his recent offer to step down if party workers believed the rebels' allegations was a classic example of his emotional appeal to the cadre.

To translate public outreach into actual electoral recovery, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leadership needs a strategic pivot. In civic campaigns, the slogan "Ek Hai Toh Safe Hain" and appeals to the Marathi manoos identity faced severe headwinds against Mahayuti's development blitz. The Sena-UBT chief needs an economic and governance alternative—focusing heavily on industrial flight, youth unemployment, and agrarian distress - rather than relying solely on identity politics.

Former state minister and son Aaditya Thackeray's aggressive focus on governance, climate, urban infrastructure, and farmer welfare represents the party’s best bridge to younger voters. Giving younger, aggressive grassroots leaders a bigger platform will counter the perception that the party is shrinking into a legacy club.

Since Lok Sabha dynamics often hinge on national narratives, Thackeray’s best bet for revival lies in hyper-local state assembly constituencies where individual candidate relationships and historical shakha loyalty still outweigh the monetary resources of the ruling front.

Reaching out to the people will keep the party alive as an emotional force, but converting that into a political revival tool requires structural reform. If Thackeray cannot fix the internal communication gaps that alienate his senior lawmakers, emotional appeals to the public may not be enough to stop the institutional bleeding.

Thackeray faces an acid test of converting the emotional sentiment into ground-level pressure. By mobilising local party workers to protest outside the offices of wavering MLAs and MPs, he can raise the political cost of defection, making leaders realise that leaving the Thackeray brand might mean losing their actual voter base in the upcoming local and state elections.

While emotional appeals may help Thackeray reassure his party faithful, his ability to retain elected representatives will depend on addressing their concerns over political survival, access to resources, and prospects. If he cannot convince his legislators that they can retain their seats under the Shiv Sena (UBT) banner without the backing of the ruling machinery, his efforts at structural containment are likely to fail.

(Sanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjay.j@ians.in)

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) Indian security agencies are closely monitoring what they describe as a growing pattern in Hamas's efforts to expand its influence in South Asia. Intelligence inputs suggest that the Palestinian militant group is seeking to strengthen ties with extremist organisations across the region, particularly in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

Pakistan has, on several occasions, hosted senior Hamas leaders, who have reportedly been seen interacting with members of terror outfits such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). Security officials also point to similarities between the Pahalgam attack and the tactics used during Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel.

While Hamas's links with Pakistan-based terror groups have long been viewed as an open secret by intelligence agencies, officials now say the outfit is attempting to widen its reach beyond Pakistan into Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

According to intelligence inputs, Hamas is seeking to establish a broader footprint in South Asia by forging connections with multiple extremist organisations. Traditionally focused on Palestine and its conflict with Israel, the group is now believed to be pursuing a wider regional presence following its engagement with Pakistan-based networks.

An Intelligence Bureau official said Hamas is unlikely to operate directly under its own banner in these countries.

"It would work along with outfits such as the Lashkar-e-Taiba, Al-Qaeda in Bangladesh, Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and pro-Hamas groups in Sri Lanka," the official said.

The broader objective, officials believe, is to move beyond Gaza and create a support network across South Asia. By cultivating multiple partnerships, Hamas could significantly increase its regional reach and influence.

Another official noted that Hamas may not necessarily participate directly in operational activities alongside these groups. Instead, the value of such alliances lies in expanding the organisation's influence, visibility and support infrastructure.

The official added that these partnerships could also provide logistical advantages while helping Hamas raise funds through networks established across South Asia.

Security agencies assessed that such efforts could eventually extend into Nepal, Myanmar and the Maldives.

"Hamas would not find it difficult to undertake these operations," another official said.

According to the intelligence agencies, Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) played a key role in facilitating Hamas' engagement with networks in the region. Officials allege that the Pakistani spy agency has encouraged Hamas leaders to visit various South Asian countries and cultivate alliances with local organisations.

Such arrangements, officials believe, serve the ISI's interests by expanding its influence and strengthening connections among extremist groups operating across the region.

An official said that the immediate concern is not necessarily the launch of coordinated terror operations. Rather, agencies are worried that a Hamas-linked network could significantly enhance recruitment efforts for multiple extremist organisations.

"All these terror groups would also benefit from the Hamas branding. The alliance partners of Hamas all have a common enemy in Israel, and hence this combination would work out best for all of them," the official said.

Officials fear that recruitment could increase substantially if such alliances deepen. Security officials also warn that Hamas could contribute to radicalisation efforts through ideological outreach and support networks, further strengthening extremist groups in the region.

Recently, Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar, in an interview, said that Hamas-linked activities had been taking place in Pakistan and Bangladesh. He expressed concern that the organisation's influence could spread beyond the Middle East.

Azar further stated that Hamas has been active in Pakistan and Bangladesh since the October 7 attacks on Israel.

From India's perspective, officials say Hamas' efforts to build relationships with extremist groups in neighbouring countries remain a significant security concern. They warn that such networks could eventually seek to radicalise and recruit Indian youth, creating long-term challenges for regional security.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) A series of arrests made in recent months has uncovered an alleged network linked to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)-backed operative Shahzad Bhatti, with security agencies dismantling modules across Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan.

Investigations have revealed that the modules operated with distinct objectives. While some members were tasked with gathering intelligence on sensitive installations and crowded public places, others were allegedly preparing for acts of violence, including petrol bomb attacks and targeted shootings.

A common thread running through the various cases is the emergence of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Hindustan (TTH), a group that officials believe is being developed as part of a broader ISI strategy.

This is a major gamble that the ISI has taken. The creation of the TTH aims at sending several messages, an official said.

“At first, we thought that it was an imaginary outfit only aimed at propaganda. However, investigations suggest that the TTH is very much in the making, and this ambitious project has been entrusted to Shahzad Bhatti, who operates from Dubai and Pakistan,” the official added.

According to Intelligence Bureau officials, one of the primary objectives behind the TTH is to establish a perceived linkage with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Officials believe that beyond this, the larger goal is to create what appears to be a homegrown terror outfit operating within India.

Bhatti, who was once known as a social media influencer, is alleged to be playing a key role in recruitment efforts. Investigators say he relies on a combination of ideological messaging and financial incentives to attract recruits. Recent arrests indicate that the network sought to recruit both Muslim and Hindu youth, a strategy that officials believe was carefully planned.

“This would make the TTH seem even more home-grown, and the fact that it has recruits of both religions would make the outfit look like a completely made-in-India organisation,” an official said.

Another official said that creating the impression of a domestic outfit remains central to the project. At the same time, attempts to link the TTH with the TTP could serve a wider propaganda objective.

“This would make it seem as though Indian agencies are backing the TTP, which has run amok in Pakistan,” the official said.

Pakistan's security forces have suffered significant casualties in attacks carried out by the TTP in recent years. Officials believe that by projecting a connection between the TTP and TTH, Pakistan could attempt to shift blame for TTP attacks onto India.

Security officials describe the emergence of the TTH as a matter of serious concern. While the motivations behind the outfit's creation may be varied, the scale of its intended operations has particularly alarmed Indian agencies.

Unlike organisations such as the Indian Mujahideen and the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), whose members were largely focused on carrying out terror attacks, officials say the TTH is envisioned as a multi-dimensional network with a far wider operational scope.

According to investigators, the outfit's plans extend beyond bombings and targeted killings. The network is also believed to be exploring activities such as narcotics smuggling, arms and ammunition trafficking, online radicalisation and propaganda, counterfeiting operations, and the creation of multiple modules across different parts of the country.

“The scale at which they plan to operate is what makes the TTH lethal,” officials warned.

Although security agencies have managed to disrupt several modules linked to the network, officials caution that the project remains a work in progress.

While Indian agencies have managed to get the better of TTH for now, the creation of the outfit remains in progress. The ISI and Bhatti will not give up easily, and these early setbacks will not demoralise them, an official said.

This is a project of utmost importance to the ISI, and all attempts would be made to make the TTH a success despite all the setbacks, the official added.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 22 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Jamaat-e-Islami in Bangladesh has been seeking to expand its influence by encouraging the formation of multiple organisations that can spearhead anti-India demonstrations across the country.

An official explained that the Jamaat aims to derail India-Bangladesh ties. But it does not want to be in the forefront of anti-India protests as it wants to project itself as a responsible opposition party in Bangladesh.

In the general elections held in Bangladesh early this year, the Jamaat had won 68 seats and emerged as the second largest party after Tarique Rahman’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The Jamaat-led bloc has a total of 77 seats in the parliament.

Since Rahman assumed office, relations between India and Bangladesh have seen a marked improvement. The two neighbouring countries have maintained regular engagement and dialogue, despite several outstanding issues that still need to be addressed, an official said.

“Despite the differences, Rahman recognises the importance of maintaining strong ties with India, and that ensures diplomatic channels between the two countries will remain open and active,” the official added.

The Jamaat, which is widely believed to maintain close links with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), is seeking to undermine the recent improvement in India-Bangladesh relations. However, rather than taking a direct role, it has allegedly been operating through smaller affiliated groups and front organisations to pursue this objective while remaining in the background.

India and Bangladesh are currently engaged in discussions on several sensitive issues, including border security, trade relations and migration. Amid these developments, a number of proxy groups are reportedly emerging at the behest of the Jamaat to strain bilateral ties. Officials say the organisation enjoys the support of several allied groups capable of advancing its agenda without requiring its direct involvement.

On June 19, a relatively new organisation, the Bangladesh Azad Party (BAP), staged a demonstration in Dhaka. The group said the protest was organised to express its opposition to India's move to deport and repatriate illegal immigrants to Bangladesh.

The protesting BAP activists tried to march towards the Indian High Commission but were stopped by the police. They burnt an effigy of Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the protest.

An official said that India has acted within the framework of law in dealing with the issue of illegal Bangladeshi immigration. However, groups such as the Jamaat are attempting to politicise the matter and, according to the official, have been encouraging the formation of new organisations tasked with carrying out anti-India campaigns and activities.

Officials claim that although the BAP presents itself as an independent political party, its membership is largely drawn from individuals associated with the Jamaat.

“This, they argue, suggests that the organisation was deliberately created to spearhead anti-India protests while allowing the Jamaat to maintain plausible deniability and avoid direct allegations of attempting to undermine India-Bangladesh relations,” an official said.

An Intelligence Bureau official said that the core issue is not India's ongoing efforts to address illegal immigration. Rather, the objective is to portray the matter as a human rights concern and use that narrative to cast India in a negative light.

The Jamaat, at the behest of the ISI, wants to make it a humanitarian crisis created by India so that New Delhi can be targeted at global forums, the official added.

Officials say that several groups aligned with or supportive of the Jamaat remain willing to spearhead anti-India campaigns. Among the more prominent of these is the National Citizen Party (NCP), a student-led organisation that emerged during the movement against the government of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The NCP played a key role in mobilising the protests that ultimately contributed to Hasina's ouster. India had maintained close ties with the Hasina government. Another official said that this too was aimed at derailing India-Bangladesh ties.

The other parties which back the Jamaat include the Islamic Andolan Bangladesh, Amar Bangladesh Party, Bangladesh Khilafat Angolan and Nizam-e-Islam Party.

Observers of developments in Bangladesh believe that the ISI will continue efforts aimed at disrupting ties between India and Bangladesh. According to an official, Islamabad remains sensitive about the legacy of the 1971 Liberation War and is, therefore, keen to retain influence in Bangladesh's internal affairs. The official added that India's recent measures against illegal immigration and the repatriation of illegal migrants have become points of concern for both the ISI and the Jamaat.

Experts allege that the strategy of encouraging illegal immigration into India was conceived by the ISI and the Jamaat after the Liberation War, to trigger communal tensions and alter demographic patterns in certain regions. Pakistan has long recognised the limitations of a conventional military confrontation with India and has, therefore, relied on alternative means to advance its interests.

An official said that the Jamaat is likely to continue fostering new organisations to enhance anti-India activities in Dhaka. By operating through such proxy groups, the Jamaat and the ISI can pursue their objectives while avoiding direct involvement, the official added.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 22 (SocialNews.XYZ) A major overhaul of the intelligence-gathering mechanism is on the cards, with a unified structure being put in place for Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeastern states. The move comes amid growing concerns over the increasing use of drones by terror operatives and their handlers to conduct reconnaissance missions in both regions.

National security planners have recommended a balanced blend of technological surveillance and human intelligence to maintain an edge over terror groups operating in these regions. Drawing lessons from the successful counter-insurgency campaign against Maoists, they have decided to adopt similar strategies in tackling terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir as well as the Northeastern states.

An Intelligence Bureau official explained that when it came to the battle against Maoists, there were multiple factors that were in play.

“The human intelligence was very strong, and the locals were completely on board. Further, technical intelligence remained solid. This ensured that real-time inputs gathered on the ground could be swiftly analysed, verified, and disseminated to security forces, enabling prompt action and contributing significantly to the success of operations,” the official said.

The official said that in the Northeast and Jammu and Kashmir, terror groups have been quickly evolving their strategy. The terror groups reportedly are using a combination of both human and technical surveillance to mark territory. The use of high-quality drones is also a major concern for the security agencies. Many of these drones have been able to penetrate Indian territory and gather intelligence.

In Jammu and Kashmir, officials say that terror groups such as the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) have increasingly turned to drones to smuggle arms and ammunition across the border after traditional infiltration routes came under tighter surveillance and security measures.

Further, officials say that elements backed by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) are attempting to cultivate local contacts in both regions to gather information about security deployments and operational activities. Intelligence agencies have, in recent months, flagged the growing use of drones and the relative decline in actionable human intelligence as key challenges in counter-terror operations.

Another official said that there is no question of not relying on human intelligence. India may have advanced technologically, and that was visible when such a precision strike was carried out during Operation Sindoor. However, when it comes to counter-terror operations, ground-level inputs remain critical, making human intelligence an indispensable component of the security apparatus.

Officials, while speaking about the anti-Maoist strategy, also point towards the immense development that went into Maoist-affected zones. This is also key in the battle against terror in J&K and in the Northeastern states, officials point out. The re-strategising of intelligence gathering comes at a time when the Intelligence Bureau warns of a possible increase in terror activities.

While J&K remains a concern, courtesy of Pakistan, the Northeastern states remain vulnerable to insurgent activity, officials say. Northeast, in fact, is tricky, and anti-India elements are planning terror attacks at important locations, while also trying to ensure there is widespread unrest.

To counter these challenges, security agencies are focusing on strengthening engagement with local communities and ensuring their active cooperation. Officials said efforts are being made to prevent anti-India elements from exploiting any gaps that could be used to influence or recruit locals into their networks.

Officials also say that keeping the locals on board is important in terms of human Intelligence. This can be achieved to its fullest only if there is no mistrust between the locals and the security forces. “Development is also very crucial to ensure that the locals have nothing to complain about and they remain happy,” the official pointed out.

The official also said that the coming days would be crucial and this massive reset would take place as Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir and anti-India elements in the Northeast intensify their efforts and attempt to carry out more attacks in these regions.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 20 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Islamic State has launched an aggressive anti-India propaganda campaign following the recent reset in relations between New Delhi and Kabul.

Through its magazine Al Azaim, the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) has targeted Indian media narratives and urged its supporters to challenge them. The publication has raised a range of issues in recent editions as part of its broader campaign against India.

The ISKP has particularly focused on Indian media coverage of issues ranging from the Ram Mandir to Jammu and Kashmir. Through its propaganda material, the outfit has urged its sympathisers to become more active on social media, launch blogs, and challenge narratives promoted by the Indian media. It has also increasingly encouraged supporters to criticise the judiciary and portray the institution as being biased against Islam.

An Intelligence Bureau official said that agencies are maintaining close surveillance on blogs, YouTube channels, and social media platforms that promote ISKP propaganda. These platforms are being closely monitored as several of them are allegedly being used at the behest of the terror outfit to spread anti-India narratives and media campaigns.

The official further said that the ISKP has renewed its efforts to revive the Ram Mandir issue in its propaganda material.

“The group questions why Indian Muslims have remained silent and claims that it is still not too late to act against the Indian State. Its sympathisers have also been urged to target the judiciary over the Ram Mandir verdict,” the official alleged.

Another official said that although many years have passed since the judgment was delivered, the ISKP has decided to rake up the issue once again. It speaks about how the media covered the judgment and the inauguration of the temple. The outfit wants a different narrative and hence has been urging its followers to take it up on multiple platforms.

The ISKP has also spoken about building a network of social media accounts and blogs to serve as a counterweight to Indian media narratives. The outfit has urged its supporters to launch blogs and expand their reach through word-of-mouth promotion. According to its propaganda material, such platforms have the potential to gain traction not only within India but also internationally.

"The objective is to create alternative narratives to those presented by the Indian media and ensure they reach a wider audience, including the global community," the officials said.

The ISKP has also been targeting the newfound ties between India and Afghanistan. The outfit wants to break this at any cost. It urges its followers to spread a false narrative stating that the Indian government is trying to bully the people of Afghanistan. The ISKP says that eventually the Indian government would take control of Afghanistan.

Officials say the campaign is a clear attempt to derail the improving India-Afghanistan ties.

“The ISKP is seeking to turn public opinion in Afghanistan against the ruling Afghan Taliban and its engagement with New Delhi. By pushing such narratives, the outfit hopes to build pressure on the regime to distance itself from the ties with India,” they alleged.

This move by the ISKP comes at a time when the Afghan Taliban has launched drone attacks to decimate Islamic State terror camps in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The Taliban says that these centres were being used to plan and organise attacks on Afghan soil. The Islamic State and the Afghan Taliban have been at loggerheads for over ten years now.

The ISKP was established in Afghanistan and later broke ranks with the Taliban after refusing to align with its policies, leading to a bitter fallout between the two groups. Since then, the Taliban has carried out sustained operations against the Islamic State, significantly weakening the outfit's presence and capabilities.

An official said that the fallout with the Taliban led to the Islamic State cozying up to Pakistan. Islamabad, on the other hand, has been trying to use the outfit to battle groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 20 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is increasingly exploiting the Pakistan-based relatives of Indian citizens to blackmail and force individuals into its espionage networks, intelligence sources have revealed. The strategy primarily targets residents in the border districts of Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir to extract sensitive information about the Indian armed forces.

An official said that in several recent cases, Indian nationals recruited by the ISI tried to withdraw from spying activities after facing heightened scrutiny from Indian security agencies.

“To counter this, the ISI has reportedly turned to family members of Indian recruits living in Pakistan. These relatives are allegedly coerced into pressuring the recruits to continue their spying activities,” the official said.

An Intelligence Bureau official said that the Pakistani agency has specifically identified relatives of Indians residing in Pakistan as a vulnerable group that can be used for recruitment and retention purposes.

"The relatives themselves are often under pressure. For their own safety and security in Pakistan, they are forced to cooperate with the ISI and assist in influencing or recruiting their family members in India," the official said.

Another senior official said that Pakistan is willing to employ every possible method to strengthen its espionage network in India.

"The intention is to gather as much information as possible about the Indian armed forces," the official said, adding, "This explains the emphasis on recruitment efforts in Rajasthan and, to a lesser extent, Jammu and Kashmir."

Investigators say that while both regions remain important targets, the focus has shifted increasingly towards Rajasthan. According to officials, the ISI is attempting to establish a larger and more organised network in the border state.

"The emphasis on Rajasthan is greater today than on Jammu and Kashmir. Security scrutiny in Jammu and Kashmir has increased significantly, making operations there difficult. Rajasthan has, therefore, emerged as a major area of interest for the ISI," an official said.

Security agencies have observed that espionage-related activities are concentrated around the border districts of Barmer, Bikaner and Sri Ganganagar. These areas are considered strategically important because of their proximity to military installations and border infrastructure.

Investigators noted that not all recruits willingly participate in spying operations. Several individuals have reportedly declined recruitment offers, while others initially agreed but later sought to disengage.

According to officials, this is where pressure from relatives in Pakistan becomes critical to the ISI's strategy. Family members are allegedly instructed to convince recruits to continue their activities. They are also warned that failure to cooperate could result in adverse consequences for relatives living in Pakistan.

"Recruits are told that the Pakistani establishment cannot guarantee the safety of their family members if they refuse to continue," an investigator said.

Officials described the practice as a clear form of coercion and blackmail. They added that relatives residing in Pakistan often have little choice but to comply with the demands placed upon them.

"Many of these families live under constant fear. They face threats of harassment, social ostracism or even expulsion from the country if they do not cooperate," an official said.

The issue came into sharper focus on Friday with the arrest of Mushtaq Ali in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer district on allegations of spying for the ISI. During questioning, Ali allegedly told investigators that his handlers had instructed him to help build an espionage network in Rajasthan. He was also tasked with collecting information from border areas, with particular emphasis on military-related activities and installations.

Officials said that during interrogation, Ali described how relatives living in Pakistan were being used as recruitment tools. He allegedly recounted the pressure faced by family members and the threats issued to compel participation in espionage operations.

Ali further stated that although he had initially engaged in spying activities, he later wanted to withdraw because of the growing risks and pressure associated with the work. However, according to investigators, he eventually resumed contact with the network after relatives in Pakistan urged him to continue.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) Pressure has been mounting on Dawood Ibrahim as Indian security agencies have dismantled several modules linked to his network in recent months. In response, Pakistani handlers are believed to have recalibrated their approach, with the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) seeking to divert attention from Dawood and reduce the scrutiny surrounding him.

Investigators found that the name of Pakistan-based gangster Abid Jatt surfaced repeatedly during the probe into recent recruitment drives allegedly conducted by ISI asset Shahzad Bhatti. Several recruits, who were reportedly offered money to carry out targeted shootings and gather sensitive information, were also instructed to promote Jatt's profile. As part of this effort, they were directed to put up posters of Jatt at various locations.

An Intelligence Bureau official said the posters were not intended merely to glorify the gangster. While Bhatti allegedly sought to use them to create an atmosphere of terror, investigators believe the main objective was to shift attention away from the Dawood gang.

“The ISI is keen to keep Dawood's name out of the spotlight for the time being,” the official said.

It began with the busting of the underworld-linked modules by the Delhi Police Special Cell. It was said that the Dawood gang recruited them. A detailed probe led the investigators to Bhatti as the man who was running these modules. Investigators also found repeated references to Jatt, with Bhatti purportedly directing recruits to popularise Jatt's name through publicity across parts of north India.

Officials said that Jatt does not operate an independent syndicate and remains part of the Dawood network. According to an official, Jatt's profile has been deliberately projected recently to divert attention from Dawood and his operations.

Another official said that whenever Dawood's name resurfaces, attention turns to allegations regarding terror financing and his links with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The official added that Indian agencies have, over the years, gathered evidence pointing to close links between these terror groups and the D-company network. Against this backdrop, the ISI is believed to be keen to avoid renewed scrutiny of both Dawood and these terror outfits at present.

Officials say Dawood is needed to raise funds as the terror groups want to rebuild capabilities after the setback during Operation Sindoor. If his name remains in the discourse, then the Indian agencies remain alert. This would mean that Dawood's network gets busted and his drug supply chains are affected. The money earned through the narcotics trade is a main revenue for the ISI, and it is diverted to the LeT and JeM, the official added.

“The ISI just wants the D-syndicate to focus on pushing drugs and earning money so that terror operations against India can be funded,” another official said.

The names of Bhatti and Jatt surfaced in a short span of time. Officials say the way they have been projected and the capabilities attributed to them appear highly exaggerated. Neither Bhatti nor Jatt could have established such an extensive network in India on their own overnight. Both remain closely linked to the Dawood network and continue to operate using its resources and financial backing.

Bhatti is believed to be effective in recruiting young operatives through social media, owing to his experience as an influencer. Jatt, meanwhile, has been projected as a Pakistan-based don heading a separate criminal syndicate, with Bhatti often portrayed as his close associate. An examination of the financial channels, logistics, and infrastructure used by Jatt and Bhatti indicates that they rely on the same structure traditionally associated with the D-gang.

An official said that this makes it amply clear that the ISI wants attention diverted away from Dawood. Bhatti, who used to live in Dubai, was picked up by the D-syndicate. He was tasked with influencing youth into joining terror groups in addition to overseeing a part of the arms manufacturing racket. He has also been in touch with Dawood’s associates in India and has been supplying arms to them.

Bhatti and Jatt have been allocated a huge amount of funds to recruit youth into terror groups. They have been paying the youth as little as Rs 10,000 to put up posters of Jatt and also pass on important logistics relating to military installations and other crowded places. Bhatti had also hired a couple of youths to kill cops in Uttar Pradesh for which he had assured them a sum of Rs 3 lakh per cop, officials claimed.

Intelligence agencies have warned against interpreting the sudden appearance of the duo’s names as evidence that Dawood has become inactive. The ISI's objective is to temporarily shift attention away from Dawood so that the networks used for narcotics trafficking and other criminal activities remain out of the focus of Indian security agencies, an official said.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) The investigation into the petrol bomb attack on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) office in Ranchi in Jharkhand is continuing, with agencies examining all possible angles, including a potential external link. Intelligence officials believe the incident may reflect a broader shift in tactics by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and its India-based operatives.

According to Intelligence Bureau officials, the attack comes at a time when several terror and espionage modules have been dismantled across the country, leaving networks under pressure. This, they say, could increase low-intensity attacks in the coming months.

“Low-intensity attacks need very little planning, and hitting important locations with petrol bombs hardly requires any speciality,” an Intelligence Bureau official said.

Officials say that the ISI had earlier planned major attacks through underworld-linked modules. Investigations in recent cases revealed that recruits had allegedly installed solar-powered CCTV cameras at strategic locations to gather intelligence on potential targets. However, the arrests of several operatives and the dismantling of key modules are believed to have disrupted the plots.

In the Ranchi case, investigators suspect the involvement of a small module with possible links to the ISI. One of the accused had reportedly spent six months in Dubai and was jailed there during his stay. During the investigation, agencies found that he had allegedly been in contact with a handler identified as Rana Sahib, who is said to have shared videos demonstrating how petrol bombs could be made.

“The Pakistani spy agency, after having failed in recent months to carry out any major attack, will rely on such tactics to keep the country on the boil,” the official added.

Another intelligence official said the ISI could temporarily defer plans for large-scale attacks while attempting to regroup its disrupted networks. The modules dismantled in recent months were allegedly tasked with carrying out targeted strikes on railway stations and sensitive military installations. However, sustained surveillance and timely action by security agencies prevented those plans from materialising, forcing a reassessment of strategy.

Officials believe the revised approach could involve smaller attacks using unconventional and easily assembled weapons. Petrol bombs, they noted, require little expertise to make, yet can generate a significant psychological impact if directed at high-profile targets.

According to intelligence inputs, the focus of such operations may increasingly shift towards creating fear and panic rather than causing large-scale destruction. Officials also point to the growing pressure on ISI handlers operating across borders, which they say is reflected in the increasing number of arrests and module busts reported in recent months.

The intelligence agencies have advised state police forces to closely monitor petty criminals and financially vulnerable individuals, who could become targets for recruitment by terror handlers. Officials believe such individuals often remain outside the radar of law enforcement agencies because of the absence of criminal records.

They also cautioned against treating incidents such as the Ranchi attack as isolated acts. “If one digs deeper, a clear pattern would emerge,” officials said.

The attack took place on June 16 at around 11.35 p.m. when two petrol bombs were hurled at the RSS office in Ranchi. One was recovered near the main gate, while the other landed on the roof of the building.

Investigators have identified Aman Ansari as the alleged mastermind behind the attack. Another accused, Saif Ansari, who allegedly used the alias Rohit, sustained injuries during a police encounter after reportedly attempting to escape from custody. The investigation remains underway.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) The crisis in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) continues to deepen, adding to the challenges facing the Pakistani establishment. The ongoing protests led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) have drawn attention not only within the region but also internationally.

What has become particularly uncomfortable for Islamabad is that protesters are openly criticising the administration while drawing comparisons between conditions in Jammu and Kashmir and those in PoK.

Officials say the Pakistani establishment has begun to realise that the situation is becoming increasingly difficult to manage. In the past, Pakistan sought to shape international opinion by facilitating visits from foreign political figures who would amplify its narrative on Kashmir.

One such instance occurred in 2022, when US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar undertook a four-day visit to PoK amid growing unrest in the region. During the visit, she endorsed Pakistan's position on Kashmir.

“On the question of Kashmir, we held a hearing in the Foreign Affairs Committee of Congress to look at the reports of human rights violations,” she had said.

She also backed Islamabad's call for third-party intervention after holding talks with the Prime Minister and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

However, Pakistan's efforts came under scrutiny after annual financial disclosures filed before the US House of Representatives revealed that Omar's trip had been fully sponsored by the Pakistani government, including expenses related to travel, accommodation and hospitality.

Despite the controversy surrounding the visit, officials believe Islamabad may once again attempt similar measures to divert attention from developments in PoK. According to them, Pakistan would seek support from international figures willing to visit the region and raise the Kashmir issue while portraying Jammu and Kashmir in a negative light.

An official said that although attempts may be made to influence the narrative, doing so would be far more difficult this time. The JAAC movement has shown no signs of slowing down and continues to push the issue onto the international stage.

Another official noted that the protests are highlighting long-standing grievances in PoK. More importantly, they are drawing attention to comparisons on the quality of life and developmental progress in Jammu and Kashmir and conditions across the Line of Control.

"There is far greater awareness today than there was in 2022. Since the abrogation of Article 370 by the Narendra Modi government in 2019, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed significant changes. Development and tourism have expanded, while terrorism-related incidents have reduced considerably," the official said.

Officials point to differences in infrastructure and public services between J&K and PoK. They claim that while PoK continues to struggle with basic amenities, Jammu and Kashmir has seen substantial investments in healthcare, education, transport and development projects.

PoK has only three medical colleges, as compared to ten in Jammu and Kashmir. Dissent is often suppressed in PoK, unlike in Jammu and Kashmir. Access to healthcare is also significantly better in J&K, which has 2,312 government hospitals providing free medical care, while PoK has just 23 such facilities.

In the education sector, J&K has 35 universities, whereas PoK has only six. J&K is served by four airports and has railway connectivity, while PoK has only two airports. The contrast is also evident in development spending, with J&K receiving an allocation of Rs 33,127 crore compared to just Rs 60 crore for PoK.

Another official said the disparity is becoming increasingly difficult for the Pakistani establishment to justify, especially as it is receiving wider international attention. PoK is home to several major hydropower projects that generate around 3,500 MW of electricity, while the region's own requirement is estimated at 400 MW. However, officials allege that most of the electricity generated in PoK is diverted to Pakistan's national grid.

This has contributed to recurring power shortages and prolonged blackouts in the region. Residents are often forced to purchase electricity at higher rates despite enduring outages that, according to local accounts, can last for several hours each day.

Observers monitoring developments in PoK describe the situation as one of the most serious challenges Pakistan has faced in the region in recent times. They argue that the issue is no longer confined to protests alone but has evolved into a broader debate about governance, development and living conditions.

Experts say Pakistan is unlikely to address the underlying concerns in the immediate future and may instead focus on altering the narrative. According to them, Islamabad could attempt to internationalise the Kashmir issue by encouraging foreign voices to highlight alleged concerns in J&K while deflecting attention from the unrest and governance challenges confronting PoK.

-- ANS

vn/snj/skp

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) Indian security agencies have busted several terror-linked modules over the past few months that were allegedly being operated by the underworld at the behest of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The names of underworld figures Dawood Ibrahim, Shahzad Bhatti, and Ajmal Gujjar have surfaced during investigations following the arrest of several youths recruited through social media platforms.

While initial investigations revealed plans to carry out attacks in Delhi and Mumbai, intelligence agencies now believe that these modules may have also served another purpose, creating a smokescreen to divert attention from a larger terror plot aimed at Jammu and Kashmir.

A senior Intelligence Bureau official said the broader objective appeared to be a major strike in Jammu and Kashmir. According to the official, the underworld has established multiple modules across the country, some of which may have been deliberately created to confuse security agencies.

"It is a fact that the underworld has set up multiple modules in the country. Some of these networks may have been intended only to create confusion and divert attention away from a possible attack in Jammu and Kashmir," the official said.

The underworld-linked networks focused on recruiting mobile phone mechanics, individuals with strong computer skills and CCTV experts. The pattern first came to light when police uncovered a module operating out of Faridabad. Investigators found that members of the group had installed solar-powered CCTV systems at sensitive and crowded locations.

At first, investigators believed the network was planning attacks in Delhi and Mumbai. However, further examination of the case pointed towards a larger conspiracy involving Jammu and Kashmir. Intelligence inputs suggested that the ISI was attempting to engineer an attack similar to the Pulwama and Pahalgam incidents.

“The modus operandi adopted this time was different. The recruits were all Indian nationals, and religion was not a factor in their selection,” the officials said.

The ISI allegedly sought to replicate the impact of Pulwama and Pahalgam while using Indian operatives as the primary executors of the plan. Investigators also found it noteworthy that the handlers did not focus on recruiting individuals from Jammu and Kashmir.

“Recruiting local residents from Jammu and Kashmir would have immediately attracted suspicion and increased the chances of the network being exposed,” the officials pointed out.

An official said security arrangements in Jammu and Kashmir remain at their highest levels following the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, during which Indian armed forces targeted and destroyed major terror infrastructure linked to Lashkar-e-Tayiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad.

The official added that although the ISI continues efforts to revive or create home-grown terror networks in Jammu and Kashmir, such operations are currently being conducted in a low-profile manner. Pakistan, however, is keen to keep the Kashmir issue alive, particularly at a time when it is facing serious internal challenges after the unrest in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Another intelligence official said agencies must remain alert to the emergence of more modules linked to figures such as Bhatti and Dawood. These networks are allegedly attempting to create multiple cells capable of targeting Indian cities. At the same time, some of these modules may be intended to act as distractions while another group executes a strike in Jammu and Kashmir.

Investigators probing the Faridabad module found that its members had planned to install CCTV systems at railway stations along the route between Delhi and Jammu to monitor military movements. The recruits had also travelled to Pulwama and allegedly passed sensitive information to handlers based in Pakistan.

This clearly indicated that the module was tasked with collecting detailed intelligence from Kashmir so that an attack on the lines of Pulwama and Pahalgam could be planned and executed, the official said.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 17 (SocialNews.XYZ) The ISI has managed to stitch together a well-oiled network of gangsters to carry out attacks in India. The name of Shahzad Bhatti has cropped up in several cases that the police are investigating.

Officials say that while Bhatti runs the show of planning and execution, his close aide, Ajmal Gujjar, is in charge of the smuggling network. Gujjar operates out of Pakistan and is a key player in this racket, officials also say.

Gujjar operates under the ISI and was roped in to assist Bhatti. An Intelligence Bureau official says that both Bhatti and Gujjar run the network that has been tasked with carrying out attacks in India. Bhatti, who was an influencer before being roped in by the ISI, handles all operations on social media. Using his experience, he has used multiple social media platforms to recruit youth. During the recruitment, he promises the youth fame and money, the official pointed out.

Gujjar, on the other hand, is an operations man. He oversees the smuggling of arms and ammunition meant for this network. The security agencies have found that his activities have gone up considerably in the last couple of months. On Tuesday, the Special Cell of the Delhi Police busted a terror module and arrested seven persons.

Like the module that was busted in May, this one too was operating under Bhatti and Gujjar.
Another official said that Gujjar has been trying to push arms into India from Pakistan. While smuggling arms into India from Pakistan has not been easy, Gujjar has managed to use the underworld network within the country to supply arms to the youth that Bhatti recruited. This network has also made multiple attempts to drop off arms, ammunition and narcotics using drones. Most of the drop-offs have taken place at the Punjab border, officials have learnt.

What has worried the agencies is that both Bhatti and Gujjar have managed to set up multiple modules in and around Delhi. This only signals that they have managed to rope in scores of youth in these parts of the country. The idea is not to have just one or two modules. Gujjar and Bhatti have planned operations to have over 20 different modules in various parts of the country. They want to ensure that their operations continue successfully even if a few of their modules are busted.

An official said that dismantling the entire network is a Herculean task for the security agencies. Bhatti and Gujjar are showing no signs of stopping and would continue until they manage to undertake a couple of major strikes. The official said his network seems determined and is showing no signs of giving up. Moreover, they are also under pressure from the ISI to set up a massive homegrown terror network in India. This fits the ISI’s larger plans of having local youth carry out attacks in India and ensuring that the trail does not lead back to Pakistan, the official added.

The Bhatti-Gujjar syndicate is also not undertaking recruitments based on religion. It does not matter to them which religion the recruits belong to. The only intention is to carry out attacks. These attacks include targeted killings, mass shootings at crowded locations, including temples. This is not an ideology-driven module. It works with money. This explains why it has been easier for the Bhatti-Gujjar syndicate to recruit with such ease.

Before recruitment, Bhatti and his team scout for people on social media. They study the financial situation of these persons before opening up a communication channel with them. Once the bait is set, the payments are made upfront, and then the job is explained to them. Since this syndicate pays handsomely, the youth are more than willing to join.

An official said that it is money over ideology, and religion is not a factor they take into account while carrying out recruitment, the official also noted.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 16 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Pakistani military, regional police forces, and government departments face a looming threat of large-scale desertions as civil unrest intensifies across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials revealed on Tuesday.

The Intelligence Bureau official said that a section of personnel from PoK serving in the armed forces, police, and civil administration is becoming increasingly disillusioned with the authorities' handling of the unrest.

“Calls have reportedly emerged within the region urging local residents employed in state institutions to resign in protest against alleged excesses by security forces,” the official said.

Officials also point to growing dissatisfaction within the ranks over the continued use of force against demonstrators.

An official said that no efforts are being made to resolve the issue. According to the official, Pakistani army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has directed authorities to deal with the protests with an iron fist.

“He is in no mood to listen to the protesters' demands and believes that if they refuse to back down, the use of force will be the only option,” the official added.

Another official said that the discontent within key institutions such as the army and police is not confined to personnel from PoK. Similar sentiments are being witnessed in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) as well. Information gathered by Indian agencies suggests that both the military and police are witnessing a steady loss of personnel. According to the official, there are several factors behind this trend.

In Balochistan and KP, security forces have largely struggled to contain groups such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Many personnel are reluctant to take on these outfits because of their own experiences on the ground.

“Both groups (BLA and TTP) possess superior local intelligence networks and a far better understanding of the terrain than Pakistani security forces. A significant number of personnel serving in the Pakistan Army, police, and government departments also hail from these regions,” the officials claimed.

The officials quoting reports say that many personnel are weary of being pitted against their own people, leading to growing discontent within the ranks. Even those who remain in service often lack the willingness to fight against communities they identify with. Allegations of excesses have increased significantly, a development that many find difficult to accept, the officials said.

While desertions are said to be occurring regularly, the issue remains largely under wraps, as few are willing to speak openly against the Pakistan Army out of fear of repercussions. However, officials warn that if the Pakistani army continues with its current approach and fails to address the growing discontent, it could soon face a significant exodus of personnel. Indian agencies assess that any such wave of desertions could involve a substantial number of troops.

Meanwhile, the situation in PoK remains tense. The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Committee (JAAC) has intensified its agitation, with an increasing number of people joining the protests.

While the protesters show no signs of backing down, Pakistani security forces continue to respond with force, drawing allegations of further human rights violations. What has particularly concerned the establishment is that support for the agitation is growing across the region, with more people joining the protests. Although PoK has witnessed several protest movements in the past, this one shows little sign of losing momentum.

Making matters more challenging for the administration is the growing participation of women in the protests. Women have been seen marching alongside community leaders and activists while demanding their rights. At the same time, protesters have openly directed their criticism at Asim Munir, whom they hold responsible for the worsening situation in the region. For years, the demonstrators have been demanding greater regional rights, better representation and increased development for the area.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 16 (SocialNews.XYZ) In recent months, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) have launched separate women’s wings in Pakistan. Although these women recruits have not been used for terror operations such as suicide bombings, they have played a significant role in recruitment drives for both the Jaish and the Lashkar.

An Intelligence Bureau official said that Pakistan's spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), is attempting to establish a similar network in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). With terror recruitment declining in the Valley, the ISI believes there is a need to create an all-women's wing in the region, the official added.

The official said that women are often considered more effective recruiters, particularly among the youth, who tend to be more receptive to their outreach. He explained that women employ recruitment methods that differ significantly from those used by men. Their approach is generally more subtle and persuasive, enabling them to communicate and reinforce their message more effectively.

"It has been observed in several cases that the men recruited through women operatives often display a higher degree of loyalty and can become highly committed to the cause. This is largely because women recruiters are generally more effective in influencing and convincing young people than their male counterparts," an official said.

Following the Pahalgam terror attack in April last year and the subsequent Operation Sindoor in the next month, the scrutiny in Jammu and Kashmir has intensified considerably. Infiltration declined sharply, and Pakistani terrorists waiting at launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have largely been unable to cross into Indian territory. The overground worker (OGW) network in the Union Territory has also been significantly weakened. As a result, the ISI has been attempting to recruit new operatives who do not have any prior police records and are less likely to attract the attention of security agencies.

The ISI has also planned an all-women OGW network in Jammu and Kashmir.

"The ISI has realised that none of its plans can be effectively executed unless recruitment levels in Jammu and Kashmir increase. Several recruiters linked to the LeT and JeM have struggled to expand their networks in the Valley, which has affected their ability to mobilise new cadres," another official said.

According to officials, the ISI is seeking to replicate in Jammu and Kashmir a model that it previously experimented with in Pakistan. The plan involves creating a small women-led recruitment network in the Valley and encouraging its members to adopt methods similar to those used by their counterparts across the border. However, the ISI is reportedly proceeding cautiously and does not intend to expand the initiative on a large scale, as a bigger network would face a greater risk of detection and disruption by security agencies.

Based on multiple intelligence intercepts, Indian security agencies have gathered that the initial plan is to form a small group comprising five to six women and use them to target a limited and carefully selected audience during the first phase of the operation.

"It appears that the Pakistani spy agency is not rushing the initiative and is likely to proceed cautiously and in phases to minimise the risk of detection by security agencies," officials said.

The all-women module programme in Jammu and Kashmir took a massive beating following the death of the Dukhtaran-e-Millat (DeM). This outfit was run by Asiya Andrabi who was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Delhi court in March 2026. The DeM had close ties with the Hizbul Mujahideen and was very often roped in for recruitments.

The ISI decided to set up a new all-women module after a revival attempt by the DeM was busted by the Counter Intelligence Unit (CIU) of the J&K police in November 2025.

An official said that the plan to revive the DeM was made only with the sole intention of carrying out recruitments by an all-women team. The CIU had thwarted this plan in November last year as well, following raids in Srinagar, Budgam and Kulgam districts.

It was learnt that a woman suspect, Shahzada Akhtar, was allegedly involved in radicalising local women under the pretext of community interaction.

Officials said that the ISI has been struggling to revive DeM and has therefore begun exploring alternative strategies. They noted that, in the absence of support from the Hizbul Mujahideen, it would be difficult for the outfit to regain its footing and operate effectively. This, they said, prompted the ISI to consider a new approach involving the creation of a small but potentially effective women-led recruitment network in Jammu and Kashmir.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 15 (SocialNews.XYZ) A political party almost unknown till the weekend, on Monday, posted a graphical representation on social media to depict the likely representation of MPs from West Bengal now in the Lok Sabha, with its lawmakers numbering equal to the combined strength of the two main political parties in the state.

The post on the Facebook handle of the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), titled “West Bengal Lok Sabha seat – Party-wise breakdown”, shows it with 20 members in the Lower House of Parliament. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has 12, and the state’s principal Opposition Trinamool Congress (TMC) has eight, with Congress having a single member and one seat (Basirhat) vacant after the death of the sitting member.

Incidentally, despite its modest beginnings and poor electoral performance in the 2023 Tripura Assembly poll, the NCPI has recently gained prominence – on Sunday, to be precise – after 20 rebel Trinamool MPs merged with it, catapulting it to the national stage.

The dramatic turn of events has the potential to make NCPI the fifth-largest party in the Lok Sabha if approved by the Speaker. The party, registered in January 2023, is currently listed with the Election Commission of India as a “Registered Unrecognised Political Party (RUPP)”.

It is thus a legally registered party but does not enjoy recognition as a state or national party. Therefore, it does not enjoy reserved election symbols, lacks privileges such as free airtime on state media or subsidised campaign facilities. Recognition would require consistent electoral performance and meeting prescribed vote-share or seat thresholds in state or national elections.

Financially, available records show donations totalling Rs 1.13 lakh, underscoring its limited financial base. Reports suggest it is registered at an address in Bankra town of Howrah district, West Bengal. The party is said to have been involved in certain social activities in Tripura and had reportedly contested a few seats in the 2023 Assembly elections, but failed to make any significant electoral impact.

In its electoral debut, the NCPI fielded candidates in seven Assembly constituencies in Tripura. However, four of its nominations were reportedly rejected on technical grounds. In the Chawamanu Assembly constituency, the party's candidate, Barjeda Tripura, secured just 536 votes, accounting for less than 1.4 per cent of the total valid votes polled.

In the Kailashahar seat, the NCPI candidate got even less, 286 votes. Altogether, the party's three candidates secured fewer than 2,000 votes, indicating a limited electoral presence and support base on the ground. Party president Uttiya Kundu is said to have remained politically active and is reportedly known to have close links with several political leaders.

Shewly Kundu, the party’s treasurer, is also linked to social work organisations and private enterprises registered at the same address in West Bengal. The Kundu couple’s stewardship reflects the personalised nature of small-party politics in India. Among the other names that have appeared in reports as NCPI leaders is Shantanu Dey, who, in media interactions, outlined the party's initial focus on advocating for deprived tribal communities in the areas governed by Tripura's Autonomous District Council.

The move by the rebel Trinamool MPs has now transformed the party from obscurity into a potential player amidst West Bengal’s political crisis. The action was undertaken apparently to bypass anti-defection laws and align themselves with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

While the NCPI had no significant electoral impact or support earlier, the influx of sitting TMC MPs has given it sudden visibility and leverage in national politics. It has to be seen if the NCPI consolidates its new parliamentary base and translates it into electoral success. Otherwise, its recognition status with the Election Commission will remain unchanged.

Source: IANS

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