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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

ATS questions 112 across Maharashtra

Agency says Pakistani gangster lured youths through social media AI generated image Mumbai: In one of the biggest coordinated counter-terror operations in recent months, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) carried out simultaneous raids and searches at dawn across the state in which around 112 persons were quizzed for their alleged social media links with a Pakistan-based alleged ISI handler-cum-mafiosi Shahzad Bhatti, officials said. According to the ATS, an undisclosed number of...

ATS questions 112 across Maharashtra

Agency says Pakistani gangster lured youths through social media AI generated image Mumbai: In one of the biggest coordinated counter-terror operations in recent months, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) carried out simultaneous raids and searches at dawn across the state in which around 112 persons were quizzed for their alleged social media links with a Pakistan-based alleged ISI handler-cum-mafiosi Shahzad Bhatti, officials said. According to the ATS, an undisclosed number of personnel drawn from all its 14 units in the state launched synchronised swoops with Friday morning ‘knocks’ at the homes and other locations of those suspects identified in the ongoing probe. As per a preliminary probe, Bhatti, along with his alleged associates, Abid Jaat alias Abid Chal, Ajmal Gujar, Mohammad Memon, Rana Hussain, Ashraf Basheer Alam and others, attempted to establish a network among youngsters through social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Telegram and WhatsApp, they said. The accused allegedly circulated provocative religious content to influence youths, particularly those who were unemployed, and lured them with promises of financial assistance in an attempt to involve them in activities such as information gathering, drugs and arms smuggling, an official said. The immediate purpose behind the action was to verify the nature of the purported links of these persons with Bhatti ostensibly through various social media platforms and to collect more concrete evidence. The ATS operation comes barely two days after the Delhi Police Special Cell claimed to have busted two alleged modules purportedly linked to Bhatti and arrested six suspected operatives from the country’s national capital and Punjab. The Maharashtra ATS carried out the searches in Bandra, Kurla and Jogeshwari (Mumbai); Navi Mumbai; Bhayander and Mira Road (Thane); Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar; Sangli; Satara; and certain other locations around the state. It is considered as a run-up to the security preparations ahead of the upcoming 79th Independence Day celebrations on Aug. 15. Online Interactions ATS officials revealed that the investigation centres around establishing and verifying whether the online interactions of these 112 persons were casual or could point to a deeper network with wider ramifications. The ATS suspects that Bhatti and his cohorts may be allegedly exploiting social media platforms to lure and influence youngsters towards anti-national or subversive activities. Remaining tight-lipped on the outcome, the officials pointed out that the probe is still continuing and further details are expected to emerge after the statements and evidence are scrutinized. The Delhi Police had said that, acting at Bhatti’s behest, the six arrested suspects had allegedly conspired to perpetrate ‘petrol bomb’ strikes at key locations in the national capital. Reported Recce Among various sites, these persons reportedly carried out a recce of the New Police Lines in Civil Lines, the Anand Vihar Inter-State Bus Terminal, a major railway station and certain crowded market areas. Videos of these and other locations were recovered from the mobile phones of the accused and were allegedly routed to Bhatti via some banned messaging app and 10 others with whom they are said to be linked. With this, the Delhi Police claimed to have busted a Pakistan-backed terror and arms-smuggling syndicate linked to Bhatti through coordinated multi-state raids spanning Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, and thwarted major planned attacks in these regions. The social media chats recovered show Bhatti reportedly giving instructions to one of the suspects, Danish alias Chand Miyan, pertaining to the delivery and storage of some ‘material’, which the Delhi Police sleuths claim could refer to petrol bombs. Earlier, the investigators had found petrol bombs from the vicinity of Vijay Ghat – the resting place of India’s second PM, Lal Bahadur Shastri. The Delhi accused were assigned different roles, including recces of key targets, ferrying and selling weapons, besides distributing consignments allegedly dropped into India by drones. The police are probing the wider cross-border conspiracy, the role of other Pakistan-based handlers and their associates and modules in India.

Indecision Kills Personal Branding

Updated: Jan 20, 2025

Indecision Kills

In a world that celebrates clarity and confidence, hesitancy is a silent yet powerful force that can diminish your personal brand. When people dwell in the realms of “I’m not sure” or “maybe,” they unknowingly project uncertainty and unreliability—traits that can undermine the foundation of a strong personal brand. Your ability to make decisions and stand firm on them is not just a reflection of your leadership but also a testament to your personal brand’s strength.


Every interaction we have leaves an impression. Be it a professional email, a networking event, or a casual conversation, these moments contribute to how others perceive us. When you continuously oscillate between indecision and vague responses, it sends a message that you lack confidence or direction. In business, where trust and reliability are paramount, this can become a significant roadblock.


Imagine a scenario where a client approaches two service providers with the same inquiry. The first one confidently outlines a plan, clearly stating the next steps, while the second hesitates, replying with, “I’m not sure; let me think about it.” Even if both have the same expertise, the client is more likely to gravitate toward the first provider. Confidence fosters trust, and trust is the bedrock of all successful relationships—professional or personal.


Indecision can often stem from the fear of making mistakes or being judged. While this is natural, it’s important to remember that perfection is an illusion. The act of making a decision, even if it turns out to be less than ideal, demonstrates courage, responsibility, and accountability. These are the traits that elevate a personal brand, distinguishing you in a crowded and competitive world.


Being decisive doesn’t mean being impulsive or reckless. It means gathering information, weighing options, and then committing to a choice with confidence. In personal branding, this is particularly crucial because every decision you make—how you respond to challenges, present yourself, or communicate with others—forms part of the narrative others associate with you.


Hesitation and indecision don’t only affect how others perceive you; they also impact how you view yourself. Constantly second-guessing yourself leads to self-doubt, which becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. The more uncertain you are, the more others will mirror that uncertainty, creating a cycle that can be hard to break.


One way to counter this is by setting clear priorities and aligning your decisions with them. For instance, if your personal brand is centred around being a thought leader in your industry, your choices should reflect expertise and foresight. Even in moments of ambiguity, acknowledging the uncertainty while showing a proactive approach—such as saying, “I’ll find out and get back to you”—conveys both honesty and determination.


During my recent trip to Australia, I was reminded of how decisiveness shapes impressions. Whether interacting with global clients or navigating unfamiliar professional terrains, I realized that certainty in communication was key to building trust and rapport. This was particularly evident when representing my personal brand on international platforms. A clear, confident tone opened doors and strengthened relationships that would have otherwise remained distant.


The next time you find yourself leaning on phrases like “I’m not sure” or “maybe,” pause and ask yourself: Is this hesitation necessary? Sometimes, it’s about silencing the inner critic and choosing to act decisively. Even if the outcome isn’t perfect, the act of making a choice positions you as someone who is reliable, proactive, and worth trusting.


Your personal brand isn’t defined by the absence of mistakes but by how you handle them and move forward. Decisiveness isn’t just about making choices—it’s about owning them. And in a world that often feels uncertain, those who lead with clarity and conviction stand out.


Make your decisions a reflection of your confidence, and watch as your personal brand strengthens, opening doors you never imagined.

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(The author is a personal branding expert. She has clients from 14+countries. Views personal.)

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