The Centre on Monday said security agencies had dismantled the Pakistan-based, ISI-backed Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) ahead of Independence Day and foiled plans for subversive attacks across the country.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said more than 200 operatives linked to the network had been arrested during coordinated operations carried out across 14 states.
“Modi govt destroyed the ISI-backed terror group Shahzad Bhatti Network ahead of Independence Day and thwarted its plans for subversive attacks by arresting more than 200 operatives,” Shah said in a post on X.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the crackdown resulted in 253 detentions across 14 states, with more than 80 FIRs registered in connection with the alleged activities of the network.
The operations were carried out on August 12 using a real-time intelligence-sharing system involving state police forces, the ministry said.
The highest number of detentions was reported from Uttar Pradesh at 62, followed by Haryana with 52, Delhi with 51 and Punjab with 44. Rajasthan accounted for 15 detentions, while Maharashtra had eight, Uttarakhand five, and Karnataka, Gujarat and Bihar three each. Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Kerala recorded two detentions each.
The ministry described the Shahzad Bhatti Network as a Pakistan-based terror syndicate allegedly backed by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). It said the network was linked to grenade, improvised explosive device (IED) and petrol bomb attacks, as well as targeted killings.
Security agencies also recovered IEDs, grenades bearing Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings, pistols, live cartridges and CCTV cameras allegedly used for espionage, according to the ministry.
The government said members of the network were allegedly paying local operatives to conduct reconnaissance of police, defence and religious sites and install CCTV cameras for surveillance.
The crackdown comes amid a wider focus on suspected Pakistan-linked terror and espionage networks operating in different parts of India.
In a separate development, the West Bengal Special Task Force recently arrested two people, including a suspected Pakistani national, near the India-Bangladesh border over alleged links with Pakistan's ISI.
The government said the multi-state operation demonstrated its “zero tolerance” approach towards cross-border terrorism and was aimed at disrupting the network before it could carry out planned activities around Independence Day.
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