Modi 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
Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on 17th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
This report details a major multi-state crackdown led by Indian security agencies to dismantle the ISI-backed Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) ahead of Independence Day 2026. On August 12, 2026, a coordinated operation resulted in 253 detentions and over 200 arrests across 14 states to thwart planned subversive attacks. The operation emphasizes the government’s "zero tolerance" policy toward cross-border terrorism and involved the recovery of high-grade military explosives and espionage equipment.
Key Points / Main Content
Operation Scope and Scale
Widespread Crackdown: Security forces conducted coordinated operations across 14 states, leading to 253 detentions and over 200 formal arrests.
Geographic Reach: Significant detentions occurred in Uttar Pradesh (62), Haryana (52), Delhi (51), and Punjab (44), with further actions in 10 other states including Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
Legal Framework: Over 80 FIRs have been registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Arms Act, NDPS Act, and Explosive Substances Act.
The Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) Profile
Origin and Support: SBN is identified as a Pakistan-based, ISI-backed, and ISI-funded terror syndicate.
Tactics: The group specializes in grenade, IED, and petrol bomb attacks, as well as targeted killings across India.
Espionage: The network pays local conduits to conduct reconnaissance on police, defense, and religious sites, often installing CCTV cameras for surveillance.
Recoveries and Evidence
Weaponry: Security agencies seized IEDs, pistols, and live cartridges during the raids.
Foreign Links: Grenades recovered during the operation bore markings from the Pakistan Ordnance Factory, confirming direct cross-border links.
Surveillance Gear: CCTV cameras used for espionage were among the primary items recovered from the group.
Impact Analysis
National Security Agencies and State PoliceImpact
These agencies successfully validated a real-time intelligence-sharing system to execute a massive, simultaneous multi-state operation.
Action Required
Maintain heightened vigilance and proceed with the investigation of the 80+ registered FIRs, particularly new cases in Delhi and Karnataka.
Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) and OperativesImpact
The network’s operational capacity was "ripped apart" and its plans for Independence Day attacks were thwarted.
Action Required
The 200+ arrested operatives face prosecution under specialized anti-terror and criminal laws, including the UAPA and Explosive Substances Act.
Local Conduits and Recce AgentsImpact
Individuals recruited for reconnaissance and the installation of espionage equipment have been identified and detained.
Action Required
Authorities must continue to identify and dismantle the financial channels used by SBN to pay these local conduits.
Key Entities Referenced
Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN): A Pakistan-based, ISI-backed terror syndicate targeted in a multi-state crackdown for planning subversive attacks and espionage across India.
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA): The primary anti-terror legislation invoked to record FIRs and arrest over 200 operatives associated with the network.
Ministry of Home Affairs: The central government ministry that coordinated the multi-state enforcement operation and real-time intelligence sharing.
‘Zero tolerance’ policy towards cross-border terrorism: The official national security policy framework guiding the coordinated action to dismantle terror networks.
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS): The primary criminal code under which legal proceedings and arrests were initiated during the nationwide crackdown.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Modi 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
Under leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and
guidance of Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, 253 people
detained across 14 states on the 12th of August as part of
‘zero tolerance' policy towards cross-border terrorism
Over 80 FIRs, 200+ arrests recorded against Shahzad Bhatti
Network
प्रव तथ: 17 AUG 2026 3:00PM by PIB Delhi
Security agencies have carried a major multi-state crackdown against the ISI-backed Shahzad Bhatti
Network (SBN) ahead of Independence Day and busted its terror syndicate. Under the leadership of Prime
Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the guidance of Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, 253 people were
detained across 14 states, over 80 FIRs and 200+ arrests recorded against SBN as part of the 'zero
tolerance' policy towards cross-border terrorism.
In a post on X platform, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said “Modi
govt 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. 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. Substantial recoveries, including
IEDs, grenades bearing Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings, pistols, live cartridges, and CCTV cameras
used for espionage, were made from the ISI-funded group. The network was involved in several terrorist
activities.”
Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN), a Pakistan-based, ISI-backed terror syndicate linked to grenade, IED and petrol bomb attacks
and targeted killings across India. SBN has also been paying local conduits to recce police, defence and religious sites, and to
install CCTV cameras for espionage.
To counter SBN-linked disruptions planned around Independence Day, a coordinated multi-state operation
was carried out on August 12 using a real-time intelligence-sharing system with State Police forces. It led
to 253 detentions across 14 states — Uttar Pradesh (62), Haryana (52), Delhi (51), Punjab (44), Rajasthan
(15), Maharashtra (8), Uttarakhand (5), Karnataka, Gujarat and Bihar (3 each), and Telangana, Himachal
Pradesh, J&K and Kerala (2 each) — with fresh FIRs registered in Delhi and Karnataka.Cumulatively, over 80 FIRs and 200+ arrests have been recorded against SBN under UAPA, BNS, the Arms Act, NDPS Act and
Explosive Substances Act. Recoveries include IEDs, grenades bearing Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings, pistols, live
cartridges and espionage CCTVs — confirming the network’s direct cross-border links.
Security agencies reaffirm Govt. of India’s zero tolerance for cross-border terror and continued
coordinated action to dismantle SBN’s networks nationwide.
Modi govt 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.
Indian security forces ripped apart the network by launching coordinated
operations across…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 17, 2026
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RK/RR/PR/PS
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