New Delhi, Aug 17: Indian security agencies dismantled an Pakistan-based, ISI-backed terror network ahead of Independence Day, detaining 253 people across 14 states and thwarting plans for subversive attacks, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Monday.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi led-government 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 microblogging site ‘X’.
He said coordinated operations were conducted across 14 states and described the action as an example of India’s “zero tolerance” towards terrorism.
The operations on August 12 resulted in 253 detentions, with the highest numbers recorded in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, and Punjab.
Fresh cases were registered in Delhi and Karnataka, while more than 80 first information reports and over 200 arrests have cumulatively been recorded against the network, authorities said.
The Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) is described by Indian authorities as a Pakistan-based, ISI-backed terror syndicate involved in grenade, improvised explosive device and petrol-bomb attacks, and targeted killings.
The network also allegedly paid local operatives to conduct reconnaissance of police, defence and religious sites and install closed-circuit television cameras for espionage, authorities said. Security agencies said the August 12 operation was mounted to disrupt attacks planned around Independence Day and involved real-time intelligence sharing with state police forces.
The 253 detentions were reported from Uttar Pradesh (62), Haryana (52), Delhi (51), Punjab (44), Rajasthan (15), Maharashtra (eight), Uttarakhand (5), Karnataka, Gujarat and Bihar (three each), and Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Kerala (two each).
Authorities said more than 80 cases and 200-plus arrests linked to the network have been recorded under India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Arms Act, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, and Explosive Substances Act.
Security forces recovered improvised explosive devices, grenades bearing Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings, pistols, live ammunition and CCTV cameras allegedly used for espionage, Shah said. The government said the recoveries pointed to the network’s cross-border links and reaffirmed its policy of zero tolerance towards cross-border terrorism.
The crackdown came amid heightened security measures around India’s Independence Day celebrations, when authorities typically step up surveillance and counter-terrorism operations nationwide.
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