New Delhi: In a brazen international operation, the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi syndicate has publicly claimed responsibility for a high-stakes attack targeting alleged Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) henchman Shahzad Bhatti in Portugal. The gang asserted that hooded shooters on a motorcycle executed the assault at Bhatti's residential accommodation, though local Portuguese authorities have yet to confirm the outcome or issue an official statement regarding Bhatti's status.
Background of the Targeted Figure
Shahzad Bhatti is identified by Indian security agencies as a Pakistan-based underworld kingpin who operates a sophisticated criminal network with deep connections to Pakistan's intelligence apparatus. A senior officer from an anti-terror unit described Bhatti as a key proxy for Pakistan's ISI, primarily tasked with orchestrating cross-border terror modules and recruiting Indian youth through social media platforms to execute high-profile strikes within India.
His operations have been linked to several significant security incidents and various plots targeting high-risk individuals across the country. Beyond terrorism, Bhatti is alleged to command an extensive smuggling syndicate dealing in arms and narcotics, leveraging his international reach to challenge rival factions, including the Bishnoi gang.
Previous Encounters and Recruitment Attempts
Interestingly, Bhatti had previously attempted to recruit Lawrence Bishnoi himself a few years ago. After failing to persuade Bishnoi to join his network, Bhatti reportedly released a morphed video clip depicting a fabricated conversation between them over a video call, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Bhatti also maintains a presence as a social media influencer, appearing in YouTube videos to tap Indian youths and coordinate operations from Pakistan using encrypted platforms and various social media channels, as highlighted by Delhi Police in earlier investigations.
Timing and Broader Context
This latest attack comes barely two months after the special cell of Delhi Police flagged Bhatti's expanding network in India and arrested three of his associates in connection with a grenade attack at a police station in Punjab's Gurdaspur district. The timing underscores the ongoing turf wars and escalating tensions between rival criminal syndicates with transnational ambitions.
Revelation of Previous Operations
In a social media post made on Sunday, the Bishnoi gang also disclosed a previously undisclosed operation against Bhatti in Brazil on June 22, 2025. The Lawrence Bishnoi and Randeep Malik alliance claimed to have deployed a specialised Mexican mafia team in Tagva Tinga during that attempt but narrowly missed their target, indicating a persistent and coordinated campaign against Bhatti.
Claim of Responsibility and Warning
The recent attack in Portugal was claimed by Bishnoi's high-ranking associates, including Randeep Malik and the US-based Anil Pandit, through social media channels. This public claim is intended to serve as a stark warning to perceived adversaries and to demonstrate that the Bishnoi syndicate's operational reach transcends geographical boundaries, asserting their capability to strike internationally.
As investigations continue, the incident highlights the complex interplay between organized crime, terrorism, and international security dynamics, with Indian authorities closely monitoring the developments.
