Pune, July 14 -- The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Tuesday initiated questioning of 66 individuals from Pune district who were "found to have been in contact" with Pakistani gangster Shehzad Bhatti.

The inquiry is being conducted at various locations with the assistance of the Pune City Police Commissionerate, Pune Rural Police, and the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissionerate.

According to a press release, the questioning commenced at 7:00 am.

The action has been initiated on suspicion that Bhatti was using social media platforms to influence and encourage young people to engage in anti-national activities.

Maharashtra ATS had launched a statewide operation on July 10, during which it began questioning 102 individuals susp...