How Pakistani militants exploit social media to recruit in India

A recent NIA report outlines a systematic approach used by Pakistan‑backed terror outfits to lure Indian youth through popular social networks. Recruiters first establish contact on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, then gradually introduce the notion of “service” to the cause. Small monetary payouts are offered for posting propaganda posters or graffiti, followed by covert training sessions that include weapon handling.

The militants maintain constant communication with handlers based in Pakistan, issuing tasks and receiving payments through encrypted apps. Once a recruit proves loyalty, larger scale attacks are orchestrated, promising bigger financial rewards. This modus operandi mirrors earlier patterns observed in the Indian Mujahideen’s Darbhanga module, which was responsible for a series of bombings in metropolitan cities between 2011 and 2013.