The Modi government has destroyed the ISI-backed Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) and thwarted its plans for subversive attacks ahead of Independence Day by arresting more than 200 operatives, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Monday.
In a post on X, Shah said security forces carried out coordinated operations across 14 states, detaining 253 people and registering more than 80 FIRs against the network as part of the government’s “zero tolerance” policy towards cross-border terrorism.
“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.
He said the coordinated operations were carried out on August 12 with the help of a real-time intelligence-sharing system involving state police forces.
The highest number of detentions were reported from Uttar Pradesh at 62, followed by Haryana with 52, Delhi 51, Punjab 44 and Rajasthan 15. Maharashtra reported eight detentions, Uttarakhand five, while Karnataka, Gujarat and Bihar reported three each. Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Kerala reported two detentions each.
According to the government, fresh FIRs were also registered in Delhi and Karnataka.
Cumulatively, more than 80 FIRs have been registered and over 200 arrests made in cases linked to the SBN under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Arms Act, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and Explosive Substances Act.
Security agencies also recovered improvised explosive devices (IEDs), grenades bearing Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings, pistols, live cartridges and CCTV cameras allegedly used for espionage.
Shah said the recoveries pointed to the network’s cross-border links and alleged involvement in terrorist activities.
The Shahzad Bhatti Network is described by Indian security agencies as a Pakistan-based network linked to grenade, IED and petrol bomb attacks and targeted killings in India. Investigations have also alleged that its members paid local conduits to conduct reconnaissance of police, defence and religious sites and install CCTV cameras for surveillance.
The latest operation was carried out ahead of Independence Day to counter alleged plans by the network to disrupt security and public order during the celebrations.
Shah said the coordinated action across 14 states demonstrated India’s “zero tolerance” approach towards terrorism and reaffirmed the government’s resolve to dismantle cross-border terror networks operating within the country.
Security agencies have been carrying out investigations against the network through multiple cases and operations in different states. The National Investigation Agency has also probed cases linked to Pakistan-based terrorist Shahzad Bhatti, including a grenade attack in Punjab and explosions in Haryana.
