Instagram Reels Draw Young Indians Into Pakistan-Linked Terror Network

A Pakistan-linked terror network allegedly used Instagram Reels to draw young Indians into its fold, with at least two men — a 29-year-old gym trainer and a 19-year-old clothing-store worker — identified as having been recruited through the platform.

The gym trainer followed an account operated by a man named Bhatti on Instagram for nearly two years, under the impression that he was a social media influencer. The clothing-store worker, meanwhile, was drawn in by reels that promised money, expensive cars and a luxurious lifestyle.

The case highlights how social media content, particularly short-form video, is being used to identify and cultivate potential recruits. The reels projected an aspirational image, using financial incentives and material wealth as bait.

Investigators are examining the extent of the network's reach and how many others may have been contacted through similar methods. The two men are believed to have been radicalised gradually over time, with the gym trainer's nearly two-year-long association suggesting a patient approach by the handlers.

The development underscores growing concerns over the use of mainstream social media platforms for extremist outreach, and the need for greater vigilance among young users who may be vulnerable to such overtures.