Pune: Five Pimpri-Chinchwad Residents Questioned For Engaging With Pakistan-Based Gangster’s Social Media Content
Pune: PMC To Upgrade 135.8 km Of Roads At ₹167 Crore For 2027 Pune Grand Tour Pune, July 16, 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has approved an ambitious plan to redevelop 135.8 km of roads across the city at an estimated cost of ₹167.25 crore in preparation for the 2027 Pune Grand Tour, an international cycling event scheduled to be held from January 26 to 31, 2027. The road network will be upgraded to international standards to meet the requirements of the prestigious cycling race while also improving everyday commuting infrastructure for Pune residents. According to PMC, the race route has already been finalised. Of the total 135.8 km, around 52.09 km comprises roads that were upgraded for the inaugural edition of the Pune Grand Tour, while the remaining 83.66 km includes new stretches that will now undergo redevelopment. PMC said the project will be executed in four separate packages to ensure better quality, efficient monitoring, and timely completion of the work.The upgraded roads will comply with international standards required for hosting the cycling event. The redevelopment will cover several key areas across Pune: Package 1: Aundh, Baner, Pashan, University Road and Range Hills. Package 2: Senapati Bapat Road, Kothrud, Karve Nagar, Sinhagad Road, Parvati Payatha, Sarasbaug and Khadakwasla. Package 3: Central Peth areas, Shivdarshan, Gangadham, Kondhwa, Bhavani Peth, Camp and Yewalewadi. Package 4: Bhairoba Nala, Magarpatta, Mundhwa, North Main Road, Vidhan Bhavan, Ganeshkhind Road, Fergusson College Road and Deccan. The first edition of the Pune Grand Tour, held earlier this year, received an encouraging response from participants and spectators. PMC officials said the latest road redevelopment project aims not only to support the successful hosting of the international cycling event but also to provide smoother, safer, and more durable roads for daily commuters across the city.
Pune, July 16, 2026: Five residents of Pimpri-Chinchwad were questioned by the city’s Anti-Terrorism Cell (ATC) after investigators found they had interacted with social media posts of Pakistan-based gangster Shehzad Bhatti, who is suspected of having links to anti-India activities.
Police said the five individuals were questioned and later let off with a warning after investigators found no evidence of direct communication, financial transactions, or operational links with the gangster. They were advised to avoid engaging with such online content in the future.
The questioning was part of a statewide operation led by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in coordination with Pune City Police, Pimpri-Chinchwad Police, and Pune Rural Police.
Raids Conducted Across Pune Region
As part of the operation, security agencies conducted simultaneous searches at 65 locations across Pune city, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and Pune district. Around 50 individuals were questioned during the drive, while mobile phones and other digital devices were seized for forensic analysis.
Investigators are examining social media activity, chat records, and other digital evidence to determine whether any individuals had deeper connections with the suspected network.
ATS Investigating Larger Network
According to officials, the operation followed an earlier ATS investigation that suggested several youths across Maharashtra had allegedly come into contact with Shehzad Bhatti through social media platforms.
Searches were carried out in multiple areas, including Kondhwa, Yerawada, Vishrantwadi, Kothrud, Parvati, Chakan, Mhalunge, Wakad, Chikhali, Alandi, Kudalwadi, Shirur, Shikrapur, Ranjangaon, and Rajgurunagar.
Investigators suspect that Bhatti may have been attempting to establish contact with Indian youths through online platforms while operating from Pakistan. Similar patterns had earlier surfaced during investigations in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, prompting Maharashtra ATS to examine possible links within the state.
Financial Transactions Under Scrutiny
Officials said 23 primary suspects are currently being questioned directly by the ATS, while other individuals are being examined by local police units. The findings from these inquiries will be shared with the ATS for further investigation.
During the probe, investigators also identified a suspect who had allegedly received funds from Pakistan in his bank account. The transaction is now under detailed examination to determine its nature and purpose.
Authorities noted that many of the youths under scrutiny are unemployed, raising concerns that vulnerable individuals could be targeted through social media for radicalisation or recruitment.
Senior ATS officials said the operation was launched based on intelligence inputs regarding alleged attempts to influence and recruit Indian youths for anti-national activities. They added that strict legal action will be taken if evidence of any unlawful or terror-related activities emerges during the investigation.
