Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the dismantling of the Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti Network, with over 200 operatives arrested across 14 states just before Independence Day, thwarting planned subversive attacks.

  • Over 200 operatives of the ISI-backed Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) arrested.
  • Coordinated strikes executed across 14 Indian states.
  • Recovery of IEDs, grenades from Pakistan Ordnance Factory, and espionage equipment.
  • More than 80 FIRs registered under UAPA, BNS, and the Arms Act.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday declared a major victory for India's internal security, revealing that more than 200 operatives of the ISI-backed Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) were apprehended ahead of Independence Day. The coordinated operation successfully neutralized a plot designed to launch subversive attacks across the nation, reaffirming India's unwavering zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism.

The crackdown spanned 14 states, showcasing an unprecedented level of inter-agency coordination. Security forces recovered a lethal arsenal, including Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), pistols, live ammunition, and grenades specifically bearing markings from the Pakistan Ordnance Factory. Furthermore, the seizure of CCTV cameras used for clandestine surveillance underscores the network's focus on high-level espionage.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the success of this operation lies in the implementation of a real-time intelligence-sharing system between central agencies and state police forces. By striking on August 12, the government preempted a synchronized attack window. The SBN's strategy of paying local conduits to recce defense and religious sites suggests a shift toward hybrid warfare, combining local assets with foreign command and control.

"The systematic dismantling of a cross-border network of this scale indicates a significant upgrade in India's preemptive intelligence capabilities."

The scale of arrests highlights the network's deep penetration. Uttar Pradesh saw the highest number of arrests (62), followed by Haryana (52), Delhi (51), and Punjab (44). Other states including Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Gujarat, Bihar, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Kerala also recorded arrests. This wide geographic spread indicates that the SBN intended to create chaos on a national scale.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been tracking Shahzad Bhatti for several years. The agency has linked him to a March 2025 grenade attack on influencer Roger Sandhu in Jalandhar and explosions at police stations in Sirsa and Ambala in late 2025 and early 2026. Bhatti was officially declared an absconder and chargesheeted in April 2026.

State Number of Arrests
Uttar Pradesh 62
Haryana 52
Delhi 51
Punjab 44

According to government statements, the SBN specialized in targeted killings and the use of petrol bombs. The recovery of factory-marked grenades provides undeniable forensic evidence of state-sponsored terrorism emanating from Pakistan, further isolating the neighbor on the global diplomatic stage.

Did You Know?: The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) allows the Indian government to designate individuals as terrorists, significantly restricting their legal options and bail eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Shahzad Bhatti Network?
It is a Pakistan-based terror cell backed by the ISI, involved in IED attacks, espionage, and targeted killings within India.

2. Which states were most affected by this network?
The highest concentration of operatives was found in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, and Punjab.