Says over 200 operatives arrested across 14 states ahead of I-Day; IEDs, Pakistan-marked grenades, pistols and ammunition recovered
New Delhi, Aug 17: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said security forces have dismantled the Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti terror network and foiled its alleged plans to carry out subversive activities ahead of Independence Day, with more than 200 operatives arrested in coordinated operations across 14 states.
In a post on X, as per news agency JKNS, Shah said the coordinated crackdown was carried out at multiple locations as part of the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism.
“Indian security forces ripped apart the network by launching coordinated operations across different locations in 14 states,” Shah said.
According to the Home Minister, the operations led to the recovery of a substantial quantity of arms and other material allegedly linked to the network, including improvised explosive devices (IEDs), grenades bearing Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings, pistols and live cartridges.
Security agencies also recovered CCTV cameras allegedly used for espionage-related activities, he said.
Shah said the network was backed by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and was allegedly involved in terror-related activities in India.
The crackdown comes amid investigations into modules allegedly linked to Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti, with security agencies examining their alleged involvement in terror recruitment, radicalisation, arms smuggling and attacks.
The National Investigation Agency has also linked Bhatti to terror-related cases, including the 2025 grenade attack on a women’s police station in Sirsa, Haryana, according to officials.
Security agencies have in recent months intensified operations against alleged Bhatti-linked modules across several states, with arrests and recoveries reported during investigations.
Shah said the latest operations had thwarted the network’s alleged plans and demonstrated the government’s resolve to take firm action against terror networks operating with foreign backing. (JKNS)
