NEW DELHI: During a major crackdown on terror ahead of Independence Day, security agencies busted the ISI-backed Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) active in the country, arresting 253 operatives in over 80 FIRs registered across 14 states, and pre-empting the network’s plans to carry out subversive attacks around Aug 15.“Indian security forces ripped apart the network by launching coordinated operations across different locations in 14 states, upholding (a) brilliant example of India’s zero-tolerance towards terrorism,” home minister Amit Shah posted on X Monday.Shah said substantial recoveries were made from operatives of the ISI-funded group, including IEDs, grenades bearing Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings, pistols, live cartridges and CCTV cameras used for espionage. “The network was involved in several terrorist activities,” he shared.Pakistan-based gangster-terrorist Shahzad Bhatti, who is popular on social media, runs a network that scouts “vulnerable” Indian Muslim youth online. His network targets and radicalises young people from low-income groups, who are ‘disgruntled’ or consume illicit drugs, and thereafter, allots them tasks like espionage, reconnaissance of potential targets, collection and transportation of arms sent via drones from Pakistan and carrying out attacks using firearms and grenades.
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To counter SBN-linked disruptions planned around Independence Day, a coordinated multi-state operation was carried out Aug 12 using a real-time intelligence-sharing system with state police forces. Of the 253 detentions made across 14 states, 62 were in Uttar Pradesh; 52 in Haryana; 51 in Delhi; 44 in Punjab; 15 in Rajasthan; eight in Maharashtra; five in Uttarakhand; three each in Karnataka, Gujarat and Bihar; and two each in Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K and Kerala – with fresh FIRs registered in Delhi and Karnataka.Cumulatively, over 80 FIRs and 200-plus arrests have been recorded against SBN under UAPA, BNS, Arms Act, NDPS Act and Explosive Substances Act.