New Delhi, August 17: Ahead of Independence Day, security agencies have launched a significant multi-state operation against the ISI-backed Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN), dismantling this terrorist syndicate. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Home Minister Amit Shah, a zero-tolerance policy towards cross-border terrorism has led to the detention of 253 individuals across 14 states, with over 80 FIRs filed and more than 200 arrests made.
In a post on ‘X’, Home Minister Amit Shah stated, “The Modi government has eradicated the ISI-supported terrorist group ‘Shahzad Bhatti Network’ before Independence Day, thwarting the organization’s plans for dangerous attacks by arresting over 200 of its members. Indian security forces conducted simultaneous operations in 14 states, exemplifying India’s commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism.”
Shah highlighted that a significant cache of materials was recovered from this ISI-funded group, including IDs, grenades marked with Pakistan Ordinance Factory insignia, pistols, cartridges, and CCTV cameras used for espionage. This network was involved in various terrorist activities.
The Shahzad Bhatti Network is a terrorist syndicate supported by the ISI, responsible for grenade, IED, and petrol bomb attacks, as well as targeted killings in India. SBN would pay local collaborators to conduct reconnaissance on police, defense, and religious sites, installing CCTV cameras for surveillance.
To prevent potential disruptions linked to SBN around Independence Day, a coordinated multi-state operation was conducted on August 12, utilizing a real-time intelligence-sharing system with state police forces. This operation resulted in the detention of 253 individuals across 14 states, including Uttar Pradesh (62), Haryana (52), Delhi (51), Punjab (44), Rajasthan (15), Maharashtra (8), Uttarakhand (5), and three each from Karnataka, Gujarat, and Bihar, along with two each from Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Kerala. New FIRs have also been registered in Delhi and Karnataka.
So far, over 80 FIRs have been filed against the Shahzad Bhatti Network, with more than 200 arrests recorded. These cases fall under the UAPA, BNS, Arms Act, NDPS Act, and Explosive Substances Act. The recovery of IEDs, grenades marked with Pakistan Ordinance Factory insignia, pistols, live cartridges, and espionage-related CCTV cameras confirms the network’s direct cross-border connections.
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