Punjab Police Arrest Two Social Media Influencers Linked to Pakistan-Based Terror Network

Chandigarh, July 1, 2025 – In a significant breakthrough, the Punjab Police on Monday announced the arrest of two social media influencers allegedly involved in pro-terror propaganda and collaborating with Pakistan-based gangster and designated terrorist Shehzad Bhatti.

The State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) identified the arrested men as Manveer Singh, also known as Mani Moosewala, from Ludhiana’s Ghangas village, and Sukhvir Singh from Budhlada village in Mansa district.

Police said Sukhvir Singh, previously jailed for a murder case registered in 2020, rose to prominence online through his Instagram account “sukhveer_khipal” after his release. Meanwhile, Manveer Singh, initially a bike mechanic and later a photographer, transitioned into a social media influencer using the handle “mani_moosewala,” gaining substantial online following and monetary benefits.

Investigations revealed both individuals had uploaded multiple videos glorifying and supporting Shehzad Bhatti, who operates from Dubai with alleged backing from Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI. Their content included pro-terror narratives and direct interactions with Bhatti, indicating deep ties to his terror network.

Police sources said Bhatti has been actively recruiting and radicalizing Punjab’s youth through social media, enticing them with money, fame, and ideological influence. He is wanted in connection with several terror-related incidents, including a grenade attack on social media influencer Roger Sandhu in Jalandhar earlier this year, and multiple cases of firing and extortion across Punjab.

Officials also linked Bhatti to Happy Passian, a key operative of the banned outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) based in the United States and supported by Pakistan’s ISI. Passian has been implicated in orchestrating grenade attacks on police stations and government buildings in Punjab.

The arrests, police said, mark a critical step in dismantling the digital networks used for anti-national propaganda and terror recruitment. A case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been registered at SSOC Police Station in SAS Nagar, with further investigations underway to trace more individuals involved in the terror ecosystem.

“This operation sends a clear message to those misusing social media platforms for anti-national activities,” Punjab Police said in a statement, reaffirming its commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the state.