Indian security agencies have dealt a major blow to the Pakistan-based, ISI-backed Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) in a coordinated counter-terror operation carried out across 14 states ahead of Independence Day.
The multi-state operation on August 12 resulted in 253 people being detained as agencies moved against suspected members and associates of the network. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, more than 80 FIRs have been registered and over 200 arrests have been recorded cumulatively in cases linked to SBN.
The operation was carried out through real-time intelligence sharing and coordination with state police forces. According to the government, the action was aimed at thwarting disruptions allegedly planned by the network around Independence Day and dismantling its terror infrastructure.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the government had destroyed the ISI-backed terror group and thwarted its plans for subversive attacks ahead of Independence Day. In a post on X, Shah described the coordinated action across 14 states as an example of India’s zero-tolerance approach towards cross-border terrorism.
Counter-Terror Operation Spans 14 States
The operation covered a wide geographical area, with security agencies acting against suspected SBN links in 14 states.
Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of detentions at 62, followed by Haryana with 52, Delhi with 51 and Punjab with 44. Rajasthan recorded 15 detentions, while Maharashtra accounted for eight.
Five people were detained in Uttarakhand. Karnataka, Gujarat and Bihar recorded three detentions each. Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Kerala recorded two detentions each.
Fresh FIRs were also registered in Delhi and Karnataka following the operation.
The scale of the operation reflects the nationwide nature of the security agencies’ action against the alleged network. By coordinating operations across multiple states, agencies targeted suspected links to SBN at several locations at the same time.
Weapons, Explosives and Spy Equipment Recovered
The crackdown also resulted in the recovery of weapons, explosives and surveillance equipment, according to the government.
Security agencies recovered improvised explosive devices, grenades bearing Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings, pistols and live cartridges. CCTV cameras allegedly used for espionage were also seized.
The Ministry of Home Affairs said the recoveries confirm the network’s direct cross-border links.
The seizure of explosives and firearms is among the key developments in the investigation, while the recovery of surveillance equipment has also drawn attention to the alleged reconnaissance activities associated with the network.
What Security Agencies Allege About SBN
The Shahzad Bhatti Network has been described by Indian authorities as a Pakistan-based, ISI-backed terror syndicate.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the network has been linked to grenade, improvised explosive device and petrol bomb attacks, as well as targeted killings across India.
Authorities have also alleged that the network paid local conduits to conduct reconnaissance of police, defence and religious sites. These individuals were allegedly involved in installing CCTV cameras for surveillance and espionage.
The allegations form part of the wider investigation into the network’s activities, its local links and its alleged cross-border connections.
Security agencies are continuing to investigate the roles of individuals suspected of being associated with the network.
Independence Day Security in Focus
The operation comes at a time when security agencies across the country are maintaining heightened vigilance ahead of Independence Day.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the August 12 action was specifically undertaken to counter SBN-linked disruptions allegedly planned around the national celebration.
Real-time intelligence sharing with state police forces played a central role in coordinating the operation across different locations. The action extended from northern and western India to southern states, reflecting the broad geographical scope of the crackdown.
The 14 states involved were Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Gujarat, Bihar, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Kerala.
Government’s Zero-Tolerance Message
The crackdown has been presented by the government as part of India’s broader zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and cross-border terror networks.
Amit Shah highlighted the coordinated nature of the operation and the recoveries made during the action, including IEDs, grenades bearing Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings, pistols, live cartridges and CCTV cameras allegedly used for espionage.
The Home Minister said the operation had thwarted the network’s plans for subversive attacks ahead of Independence Day.
The government has also credited the coordinated work of security agencies and state police forces with disrupting the alleged terror network across multiple locations.
253 Detained, 200+ Arrests Recorded
The distinction between the figures released by the government is important.
The 253 figure refers to people detained during the August 12 multi-state operation across 14 states. Separately, the government says more than 200 arrests have been recorded cumulatively in cases against the Shahzad Bhatti Network, alongside more than 80 FIRs.
The two figures should therefore not be treated as interchangeable or as representing the same group of people.
Cases connected with SBN have been registered under several laws, including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Arms Act, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and Explosive Substances Act.
Major Counter-Terror Action, Investigation Continues
The multi-state crackdown represents a significant counter-terror operation against a network that Indian authorities describe as being backed by Pakistan’s ISI.
The operation disrupted the alleged network’s activities ahead of Independence Day and resulted in 253 detentions across 14 states. More than 80 FIRs and over 200 cumulative arrests have also been recorded in cases linked to SBN.
The recovery of explosives, firearms and surveillance equipment has added to the material being examined by security agencies as the investigation continues.
Authorities are now continuing to investigate the network’s alleged activities, its local links and its cross-border connections.
The operation highlights the importance of coordinated intelligence sharing and cooperation between central security agencies and state police forces in countering terror networks operating across state boundaries.
With investigations still underway, the crackdown marks a significant step in the government’s stated effort to prevent terror-related disruptions and dismantle networks that authorities identify as threats to national security, particularly ahead of major national events such as Independence Day.
Subscribe Deshwale on YouTube
